IT appears the physical toll of a remarkable run has finally caught up with Filipino tennis star Alex Eala, who bowed out of the fourth round of the Canadian Open on Monday morning (Manila time) after a straight‑sets defeat to Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic.
The World No. 20 was comprehensively outplayed, falling 4‑6, 0‑6 in a match that lasted just over an hour. Eala appeared short on energy and unable to find her usual rhythm against the experienced former champion, who dictated play from the opening ball and never allowed the Filipina to settle into her game.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Eala’s campaign in Toronto remains a source of pride. Entering the match, she had won 10 of her previous 11 matches — a streak stretching back to Wimbledon — and had notched impressive victories over Alycia Parks and Caty McNally in the second and third rounds following a first‑round bye. Her run in Toronto drew strong support from the crowd, with Filipino fans turning out in force to cheer her on, turning the stadium into a virtual home tournament for the rising star.
The loss brings to an end one of the strongest stretches of Eala’s young career, though the result suggests fatigue may have been the deciding factor. Having climbed the rankings and strung together victories at a rapid pace, the 21‑year‑old showed signs of weariness against a fresh and formidable opponent. Still, Eala’s performance in Toronto confirms her place among the sport’s rising talents, and with rest and recovery, she looks poised to return stronger in the tournaments ahead.
metrosundaily
