Hometown favorite Alex Eala was apologetic — and hopeful — after losing in her quarterfinal match against Camila Osorio in the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open Thursday, Jan. 29.
Alex Eala expressed her regret after succumbing to Colombia’s Camila Osorio in the quarterfinals of the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open Thursday, Jan. 29.
But the Filipina tennis sensation also looked on the brighter side of things: for the first time, the country is holding a WTA 125 event and she is participating in it, with the hope that this will help grow the love for the sport.
Eala lost, 4-6, 4-6, to Osorio.
[RELATED STORY: Alex Eala falls to Camila Osorio in QF, exits Philippine Women’s Open]
“Sayang, hindi pumasa sa level pero ang importante, nandito ako sa Manila, sa Pilipinas at nandito ang WTA," said Eala during the on-court interview.
"Enjoy the rest of the week. I hope you all get inspired and learn to love tennis. I love tennis so much, so I'm lucky to be able to share this experience and journey with all of you. Maraming salamat,” she continued.
Alex Eala hits a backhand during the quarterfinals of the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Eala, seeded second in the competition, was booted out after struggling to find her rhythm against No. 5 seed Osorio, who was setting the pace throughout the one-hour-and-30-minute match.
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In the opening set, Eala was caught on the back foot even despite taking her opening service game at love.
Osorio held her own, stringing together back-to-back games to seize the 2-1 edge.
Despite Eala's breaking Osorio right back and winning an extended service game to pull ahead, 3-2, she struggled against Osorio from there.
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Osorio broke Eala’s serve anew in the seventh game to take the 4-3 lead, which marked the beginning of the end for the world No. 49 in the first set.
After holding her serve to push Eala to the brink, 5-3, Osorio survived a great service game from the Filipina to take the opener, 6-4.
Camila Osorio goes for a forehand during her quarterfinal match against Alex Eala in the WTA 125 Philippine Women's Open. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
It was a similar story in the second set, with the world No. 84 Osorio making her move at the tail end of the frame.
Osorio, who ranked as high as No. 33 in the world nearly four years ago, broke Eala in the ninth game for a 5-4 advantage.
The Colombian wasted no time in posting a 40-15 lead against Eala in the next.
Eala fought back, saving a set point, but she couldn’t stop the inevitable as Osorio finished her off to claim a spot in the next round against Solana Sierra.
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As for Eala, she heads to the Middle East next for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, which begins this weekend. Eala is a wildcard in the WTA 500 tournament.
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Luisa Morales is a sportswriter 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.