Alex Eala’s Guangzhou Run Ends in Doubles Semis Heartbreaker

on
by Misha Cruz

Alex Eala.
Alex Eala. Photo: Facebook.

The disappointments are becoming more and more recurring.

Alex Eala and Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok fell just short of a finals berth, bowing to Indonesia’s Janice Tjen and Poland’s Katarzyna Piter, 6-7(4), 6-3, 5-10, in the Guangzhou Open doubles semifinals on Saturday in China.

The Filipina tennis star and her experienced partner pushed their opponents to the limit in a tense, momentum-shifting match, but the Tjen-Piter duo found their rhythm in the deciding tiebreak to secure the win.

It was a tough ending to what had been an impressive run for the 20-year-old Eala, who earlier battled her way past two strong duos: Britain’s Emily Appleton and China’s Qianhui Tang in the Round of 16, then Russia’s Polina Kudermetova and Kamilla Rakhimova in the quarters.

Despite bowing out, Eala once again showed her trademark grit and composure, especially in that tight opening tiebreak that had fans holding their breath. While the second and deciding sets slipped away, her growing confidence and chemistry with Kichenok were clear.

Alex Eala.
Alex Eala. Photo: Facebook.

Though her Guangzhou stint wraps up here, after also competing in the singles draw, Eala’s performance highlighted her growing presence and maturity on the WTA doubles stage. She now turns her focus to the upcoming Hong Kong Tennis Open, ready to carry her sharp form into another competitive week on tour.