Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala's highly anticipated debut in the women's singles main draw of the Australian Open concluded with a first-round exit. The 20-year-old succumbed to a determined fightback from American Aalycia Parks in three sets on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Melbourne Park.
A Promising Start Fades Away
Playing on Court 6, Eala was buoyed by strong support from a vocal group of Filipino fans. She channeled that energy into a dominant opening set, showcasing sharp groundstrokes to blank Parks 6-0. The Filipina left-hander seemed in control, breaking her opponent's serve with authority.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically as the match progressed. The world No. 99 Parks began to find her rhythm and, crucially, started unleashing her powerful serve. This weapon became a central problem for Eala, who is ranked 50 places higher at World No. 49. Parks' adjustment in the second set was swift and effective.
Parks Seizes Control
From a commanding position, Eala found herself on the back foot. Parks raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set, completely flipping the script of the match. The American player gained confidence with every game, taking control of the rallies and dictating play from the baseline.
Eala struggled to find answers to Parks' renewed aggression. The American secured the second set 6-3, leveling the match and carrying all the momentum into the decider. The third set followed a similar pattern, with Parks maintaining her intensity to close out the match 6-2 and advance to the second round.
Doubles Campaign Still Alive
Despite the singles disappointment, Eala's journey at the season's first Grand Slam is not over. The young Filipina star will immediately shift her focus to the doubles event, where she will partner with another player. This tournament marks the final Grand Slam event that the 20-year-old has now participated in, completing her set of appearances at all four majors.
While the loss is a setback, Eala's debut in the Australian Open singles main draw represents another milestone in her promising career. Her ability to dominate a set against a big-hitting opponent on such a stage demonstrates her growing potential on the WTA Tour.
