Alex Eala could not ride the momentum of her 6-0 first set win over Alycia Parks, falling in the first round of the 2026 Australian Open.
Alex Eala could not sustain a blistering start against world no. 99 Alycia Parks, losing her Australian Open debut, 6-0, 3-6, 2-6, at Melbourne Park on Monday.
Eala, playing in her first Australian Open main draw match, fell flat even after blanking Parks in the first set.
The 20-year-old found herself stuck in a 0-3 hole in the second set but managed to recover and tie the match.
Parks, who was able to adjust to Eala’s style of play and the booming cheers of the Filipinos in the stands, then secured a crucial break in Game 8 and held her own serve to win the second set.
The momentum continued to the third set, with Parks taking a quick 2-0 lead over Eala.
Eala tried to fight back, including a love game to get herself on the board in the third set, but Parks picked up another huge break and later opened up a 5-2 lead to eventually seal the comeback win.
With a frustrating first foray at the Australian Open, Eala dropped her overall Grand Slam record to 1-4.
The Filipina ace now shifts her focus on doubles play where she is partnered with Brazil’s Ingrid Martins, facing Magda Linette and Shuko Aoyama in the first round on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old also has a wild card opportunity looming at the Philippine Women’s Open, which begins with the main draw on January 26.
However, Eala is also listed in the qualifying tournament of the Abu Dhabi Open, whose main draw tournament begins on February 1, creating a second potential scheduling conflict with the Philippines’ first WTA event.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.