Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala put up a spirited fight against world No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan but ultimately fell short, suffering a 6-4, 6-3 defeat in the Round of 32 of the Italian Open in Rome on Sunday evening, May 10, 2026 (Philippine time).
Eala Shows Early Promise
The 20-year-old Eala, who bowed out early, managed to surprise her Grand Slam champion opponent. In the first set, Eala rallied from a deficit to level the score at 4-5. However, Rybakina, who has amassed 13 singles titles, used her powerful serve to claim the set.
Second Set Fightback
In the second set, Eala took an early lead at 2-1. But Rybakina then won three consecutive games, eventually sealing her spot in the Round of 16. Despite the loss, Eala's performance against a top-ranked player showcased her potential and fighting spirit on the clay courts of Rome.
