MANILA — Alexandra Eala’s impressive National Bank Open campaign ended in the fourth round after Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic overpowered the 25th-seeded Filipina, 6-4, 6-0, on Monday in Toronto, Canada.
Coming off victories over Alycia Parks and Caty McNally, Eala stayed within striking distance in the opening set but could not contain the 12th-seeded Bencic, who seized control late in the first frame before completely dominating the second.
Bencic capitalized on Eala’s struggles on serve, converting six of 10 break-point opportunities while winning 72 percent of her first-serve points.
Eala, in contrast, won only 48 percent of her first-serve points as Bencic dominated the overall points, 57-37.
The 21-year-old Filipina earned two break-point opportunities against the Swiss but failed to consistently capitalize. She finished the match with one ace and three double faults.
Despite the fourth-round exit, Eala’s Toronto campaign continued a breakthrough stretch that began with her historic title run at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, where she captured her first WTA Tour singles championship.
Eala carried that momentum into Toronto, beating Parks and McNally before running into the more experienced Bencic.
Her fourth-round finish added another notable result to a breakthrough season that has also featured a deep Wimbledon run and her rise into the WTA’s top 20.
The Victorias City, Negros Occidental native will now turn her attention to another WTA 1000 tournament, the Cincinnati Open, scheduled from August 13 to 23./PN
