Alex Eala was given a rude welcome back on tour by 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova as the Filipina ace lost her opening match at the National Bank Open in Montreal.
Alex Eala’s return to action was met with a tough test, as the Filipina standout fell to 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, in the opening round of the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal Monday (PH time).
Fresh off a brief break back home in the Philippines, Eala looked sharp early, taking the first.
But the more experienced Vondrousova quickly flipped the momentum and dominate the next two sets and secure the second-round berth.
It was Eala’s first match since her spirited Wimbledon debut, where she pushed reigning champion Barbora Krejcíková to three sets on Centre Court.
But like her earlier WTA 1000 outings this season after Miami, Montreal ended in another early exit.
Still, the match kicks off a crucial hard-court swing for the 20-year-old, who is looking to build rhythm ahead of her much-anticipated debut at the US Open in late August.
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[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]