Slow-starting Eala loses to world No. Gauff, exits Dubai tilt

Sports

ALEX Eala got off to a sluggish start and failed to recover, losing badly to world No. 4 American Coco Gauff, 0-6, 2-6, in their quarterfinals match of the WTA 1000 Dubai Tennis Championships early Friday (Philippine time), Feb. 20, at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre.

The 20-year-old Eala, currently ranked No. 47 in the world, couldn’t display the same impressive form she showed in the Round of 16 as she missed out on the opportunity to beat another Top 10 opponent in her first-ever appearance in the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Eala had beaten world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy in the Round of 32. She defeated world No. 32 Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the Round of 16, 7-5, 6-4, that set her up a Final 8 match against Gauff.

Eala seemed to have run out of ammunition against Gauff, who blanked her in the opening set that set the tone of the lopsided march.

Eala still couldn’t find the rhythm in the second set when she fell behind, 0-4. She showed some signs of life when she moved within 2-4, but Gauff won the next two games to finish off the Filipina in one hour and seven minutes.(CCM)