Alex Eala’s bid in the ITF W60 Nantes tennis tournament hit a roadblock as she came up short against Andrea Knutson of the Czech Republic, with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-1. This setback occurred late on Friday, Manila time.
Eala, ranked 193rd in the world, had previously mounted impressive comebacks in her matches. However, her energy waned in the semifinals against the American-born Czech player.
The Filipino tennis star began strongly, breaking Knutson’s serve three times to claim the first set. But Knutson mounted a comeback in the second set, taking a 4-1 lead and eventually leveling the match.
Riding on her newfound momentum, the Czech player surged ahead with a 4-0 lead in the third set, leaving the 18-year-old Filipina struggling. Although Eala managed to win the fifth game, it marked the end of her journey in this match.
Knutson, on the other hand, advanced to the finals of the $60,000 ITF event.
(JR Amigo/ai/mnm)