Alex Eala falters vs. Swedish bet, exits Australian Open qualifying

Alex Eala absorbed an early exit anew as she fell prey to higher-ranked Rebecca Peterson of Sweden, 6-2, 7-5, in the opening round of the 2024 Australian Open qualifying draw on Tuesday morning (Manila time).

This is the second time that the Filipinas teen tennis ace was booted out early in the professional Grand Slam scene as she was dealt a three-set loss against a Japanese foe in the previous Australian Open edition.

After a slow start where Peterson unleashed a 2-0 early cushion in the opening set, Eala made a comeback in Game 5 to cut the deficit to 2-3. But Peterson, who ranks no. 128 in the WTA, won the succeeding games to take a 1-0 set lead.

Eala put up a better fight in Set 2, cruising to a 4-3 lead before she notched the first set point at 5-4. But a clutch Peterson was able to things up at 5-5 before imposing her will on the next two games to complete the sweep.

While the 18-year-old Eala wrapped up her campaign, Peterson will take on Anastasia Zakharova in the second round.

Eala, who recently seized a career-high WTA ranking at no. 185, is a three-time juniors grand slam titleholder and is now plying her trade in the pro ranks. She made her professional Grand Slam debut last year at the same event. 

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News