Eala yields to Fernandez, exits Stuttgart Open in R32

Alex Eala suffered a straight-sets loss to Filipino-Canadian Leylah Fernandez before ending her Porsche Tennis Grand Prix run, 1–6, 4–6, in the round of 32 of the women's singles in Stuttgart, Germany, on April 15.

Following a lethargic onset, Eala displayed signs of a comeback after taking two games behind clean left-handed strikes to cut the gap by one, 2–3.

But Fernandez refused to fold and pushed her counterpart into a three-game hole, 2–5, as she nailed successive forehand attacks and front-court hits.

However, Eala trimmed her deficit to one once more, 4–5, only for her foe to nab two straight games through her precise winners, which sealed the latter’s win.

And the Pinay sensation’s surge ultimately ended right there.

Post-game, the Canada-based player recalled first seeing Eala at the Rafa Nadal Academy years ago, immediately struck by her blistering pace and telling her coach she played unbelievably fast.

“I remember watching her play a couple years back at the Rafa Nadal Academy and she was playing super fast. I remember telling my coach at the time, like, ‘Wow, she plays quick!” she said.

Fernandez also added that her coach expected a tough scuffle against the Filipina, urging her to ‘lock in’ a message she trusted throughout the game.

“My coach said, ‘You know, she’s not gonna go down easy, as you can see. She’s gonna fight. You’re gonna have to take the match,’” Fernandez uttered. “So I was glad that I trusted him, and I just trusted the training that we’ve done. Happy to get the win here.”

On the other hand, the Philippine standout Eala eyes a masterful performance as she returns for the upcoming French Open.