Eala holds own vs World No. 9 Andreeva in Macau Masters loss

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot against Madison Keys during Day 6 of the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium on March 23, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Al Bello / Getty Images / AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala put up a fight but ultimately fell against Mirra Andreeva, 4-6, 2-6, in their Macau Tennis Masters singles’ matchup Sunday at the Macao Forum.

Eala, ranked 53rd in the world, went toe-to-toe with the World No. 9 Andreeva in a battle of rising tennis stars, but she faltered in the two sets.

The Filipina held a lead in the first set, going up 2-1 before Andreeva won the next two games to go ahead 3-2.

Eala tied things up at 3-all before the 18-year-old Russian won the next two games to move to set point, 5-3.

While the newly crowned Southeast Asian Games gold medalist was able to extend the set, Andreeva held her serve to grab the win, 6-4.

In the second set, the 20-year-old pride of the Philippines, playing for Team Li Na, once again held a 2-1 lead.

And from that point on, Andreeva breezed through the next five games to grab the win for Team Conchita Martinez in the exhibition event.

Eala was supposed to face Andreeva in the mixed doubles match on Saturday, but an illness sidelined the Russian.

Instead, Eala, who was teamed up with ATP World No. 253 Jerry Shang, faced off with ATP No. 14 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and ATP World No. 182 Yibing Wu.

The Eala-Shang duo absorbed a close 7-5, 7-6(1) loss.