MANILA – Alexandra Eala’s doubles partnership with seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams came to an early exit after the Filipino-American tandem bowed to Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova and Japan’s Miyu Kato, 6-4, 6-3, in the opening round of the National Bank Open on Friday in Toronto.
The defeat ended Eala and Williams’ doubles campaign, but the Filipina ace remained firmly in contention in the prestigious WTA 1000 tournament after securing a place in the singles third round.
Eala and Williams struggled to sustain their rhythm against the experienced Russian-Japanese pair, who capitalized on six of their 11 break-point opportunities to complete the straight-set victory.
The Filipino-American duo stayed within reach in the opening set before Samsonova and Kato delivered the decisive service break to claim it, 6-4.
The second set followed a similar script, with Samsonova and Kato breaking serve at crucial stages before sealing a 6-3 win and advancing to the Round of 16.
Samsonova and Kato finished with a 66-percent first-serve rate and won 57 percent of their first-serve points. They also claimed 57 total points compared to 51 by Eala and Williams.
The Eala-Williams tandem fired two aces but was hampered by five double faults. They won 71 percent of their first-serve points and converted three of their five break-point opportunities.
Despite the doubles setback, Eala continued her impressive singles campaign after defeating American Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, on Thursday to advance to the third round.
The 21-year-old Filipina was set to take on another American, Caty McNally, on Friday morning (Philippine time) for a berth in the Round of 16./PN
