Alex Eala bows to Russian foe in QF

Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala yielded to Russian Valeria Savinykh, 4-6, 2-6, as she bowed out of the XXVII Open Generali Ciudad de Palma del Rio at the Asociacion de Tenistas Palmenos Polideportivo in Spain on Saturday, July 1 (Manila time).

Eala could not sustain her good start in the first set as she conceded her advantage and lost her momentum altogether as Savinykh took advantage to cruise to the semifinals.

The 18-year-old Eala raced to a 4-1 game lead in the first set but she faltered from that point on as the 32-year-old Savinykh racked up five straight points to win the opening frame.

Alex Eala PHOTO FROM EALA’S FB PAGE

Eala got the headstart once more in the second set, 1-0, but that turned out to be the last time she's going to lead the veteran Savinykh who dominated for the rest of the way.

Savinykh, ranked 243rd and went as high as 99th in the Women's Tennis Association rankings, exposed Eala's inability to hold her serve as she broke her five times.

In comparison, Eala, ranked 261st in the world, broke the Russian's services twice only.

Eala defeated Spanish Lorena Solar in the round of 32, 6-3, 6-2, last Tuesday and Aussie Talia Gibson in the round of 16, 6-3, 6-1, last Friday to reach the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Savinykh battles Austrian Tamira Paszek in the semifinals on Sunday, July 2 (Manila time).