ALEX Eala was overpowered by a higher-ranked opponent, losing badly to Marta Kostyuk, 0-6, 2-6, to suffer an early exit in the 2025 Italian Open at the Grand Stand Arena in Rome late Wednesday, May 7 (early Thursday, May 8, Philippine time).

Ranked No. 27 in the world, Kostyuk proved too much in spoiling the Italian Open debut of the world 70th-ranked Eala.

The 22-year-old Ukrainian was in control throughout the 62-minute, rain-delayed contest as the Filipino tennis ace struggled to get her game going.

Eala will try to pick up the pieces when she sees action in the doubles on Friday, May 9. The 19-year-old Eala is partnering with American Coco Gauff, who is best known to have ranked No. 1 in the Women’s Tennis Association doubles in 2022 and is currently No. 22.

Gauff, 21, is a two-time French Open doubles champion and was a quarterfinalist in the mixed doubles of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Ranked No. 456 in doubles, Eala has won three International Tennis Federation (ITF) doubles titles.(CCM)

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• #Alex Eala
• #Marta Kostyuk
• #2025 Italian Open
• #Grand Stand Arena
• #Rome
• #Tennis
• #Ukranian