Eala can’t get going
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala folded to Belgian veteran Elise Mertens, 6-2, 6-1, for another second-round clay exit in the Mutua Madrid Open yesterday at the Caja Majica Park in Spain.
Eala, WTA No. 44, bowed out in only 76 minutes as the 30-year-old Mertens stamped her experience and pedigree as the world’s No. 21 player and No. 19 seed in the 1000-level tournament.
Mertens will face Karolina Pliskova of Czechia, No. 197, in the Round of 32. The 34-year-old Pliskova stunned world No. 37 and Madrid’s No. 33 seed Maria Sakkari of Greece, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6).
It was Eala’s second loss to the 10-time WTA champion Mertens after a 7-5, 6-0 defeat in the Monastir Open in Tunisia in 2023.
Eala will still vie in the second round of doubles play with good pal Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey against the second-seeded pair of Katerina Siniakova of Czechia (world doubles No. 2) and Taylor Townsend of the United States (No. 5) today.
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