Eala, Jovic get boot in ASB Classic doubles

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala absorbed her first loss in 2026 after bowing out of the ASB Classic women’s doubles’ tournament at the hands of Chinese duo of Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan Friday in Auckland.

Eala and partner Iva Jovic crashed out of the tourney against the third-seeded pair, 7-5, 6-3, after one hour and 27 minutes of action.

The Filipina will now have to wait for another chance at her first-ever doubles’ championship.

Eala and Jovic had a strong start, going up 4-2 in the first set to gain control.

But their opponents stormed back, tying things up at 4-all.

And while the Philippines-US pair moved to within a game from getting the first set, Xu and Yang bagged the next three games to steal it, 7-5.

Eala and Jovic had another strong beginning in the second set, grabbing a 3-1 advantage.

But their opponents were just too good, flipping the script and not yielding another game to clinch the victory.

Eala and Jovic earlier defeated the pair of Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina in the first round, before a walkover by Renata Zarazua and Jesika Maleckova flung them to the semis.

Xui and Yang will now face Guo Hanyu and Mladenovic — the second-seeded pair in the tourney — in the finals.

Guo and Mladenovic earlier stamped their ticket to the championship round via walkover against Janice Tjen and Caty McNally.

Despite her exit in doubles' action, Eala will still compete in the singles tournament, where she is already in the semifinals.

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