By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala made another early exit in a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) event, bowing to unseeded American Claire Liu, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, in the opening round of the Guangzhou Open in China on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Seeded fourth in the WTA250 tournament, the 20-year-old Filipina player failed to sustain her early momentum and squandered a 4-3 lead in the third set in another heartbreaking defeat.
It was another early defeat for Eala, who entered the tournament with a career-high No. 53 singles ranking. She also lost in the opening round of the Kinoshita Group Japan Open last week, as well as in the first qualifying round of the Wuhan Open in China two weeks ago.
Despite the singles loss, Eala would still be around as she competes in the doubles with Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok in the first round against Chinese Tang Qianhui and British Emily Appleton.
