Quick exit for Eala in Qatar Open but still pockets hefty P1-million purse

Sports

ALEX Eala’s second straight competition in the Middle East turned out to be a quick one.

The youthful Filipina star bowed out in the WTA 1000 Qatar Open after succumbing to Czech’s Tereza Valentová in Round of 64, 6-7 ( 1-6, on Monday night, Feb. 9, in Doha, Qatar.

Eala couldn’t sustain a hot start that saw her racing to a 2-0 lead in the opening set. The 20-year-old rising athlete, now enjoying a career-high world ranking of No. 40, even surged to a 4-2 advantage before fading off.

The 18-year-old Valentová, ranked No. 48 in the world, mounted a huge fightback and went on to frustrate Eala in the tiebreak.

Eala had completed gritty wins in the past but an anticipated comeback didn’t happen this time as Valentova easily won the second set for her resounding debut in a WTA 1000 event.

Valentova also posted her second straight win over Eala after beating the 5-foot-9 Filipina, 6-1, 6-2, in the opening round of the WTA 250 Japan Open last October.

The early exit was a stark contrast to Eala’s campaign in the Abu Dhabi Open last week where she reached the semifinals in doubles and quarterfinals in singles.

Though she failed to come up with a deep run in the tournament, Eala still pocketed $18,300 (P1 million) for the main draw appearance.

Eala will take a much-needed break before plunging back into action again via the Dubai Tennis Championships slated Feb. 15 to 21.(CCM)