Alex Eala bowed out of the WTA 500 HSBC Championships after a 2-6, 2-6 loss to sixth seed American Iva Jovic in the second round on Wednesday night (Philippine time), June 10, 2026, at The Queen's Club in London.
Match Recap
The 21-year-old Filipino tennis star had defeated China's Zhang Shuai, 6-3, 6-2, in the first round. However, she failed to sustain the momentum against Jovic, who now holds a 2-0 head-to-head record against Eala. Jovic previously defeated Eala in the first round of the French Open, 6-4, 6-2.
World No. 19 Jovic, a quarterfinalist at this year's Australian Open, will face the winner of the match between second seed Amanda Anisimova and German Laura Siegemund.
Eala's Recent Success
Despite the loss, Eala has been on an upward trajectory. She improved to World No. 33 from No. 37 after winning the Birmingham Open last week. That victory marked her first title on grass court and her second WTA 125 crown, following the 2025 Guadalajara Open in Mexico.
In December last year, Eala bagged the gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, securing the Philippines' first women's singles gold in 26 years.
