By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala started her campaign in the Hong Kong Open ominously after she and doubles partner Chan Hao-ching faltered in the opening round on Monday, Oct. 27
The Filipina-Taiwanese pair came out strong in the first set, but failed to sustain their momentum particularly in the pivotal third frame and succumbed to Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Russian Kamilla Rakhimova, 3-6, 6-1, 10-7.
Last week, Eala reached the semifinals, but with a different partner in Ukrainian Nadiia Kichenok at the Guangzhou Open in China.
With the defeat, Eala hopes to do better in the singles where she is competing against British Kate Boulter at press time.
The Hong Kong Open boasts of a strong cast that include world No. 11 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, No. 1 Victoria Mboko and No. 22 Leylah Fernandez of Canada, No. 28 Sofia Kenin of the United States, and No. 32 Maya Joint of Australia.
The WTA250 tournament serves as her last event for the season.
