IT was another quarterfinals exit for Alex Eala, as she wrapped up her preparations for the US Open qualifiers next week, following a loss at the W100 Cary in North Carolina on Thursday (Friday, Manila time).
Eala squandered a one-set lead and eventually lost to Renata Zarazua, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, to miss out on the semifinals for the second straight tournament.
The 19-year-old looked primed for a sweep when she led 4-2 in Set 2, but Zarazua shifted the momentum to her side in Game Seven when she held serve after multiple deuces.
That seemed to turn the tides in the Mexican's favor, as she broke Eala’s serve in the next game to tie the set at 4-all. Not long after, Zarazua then strung two more game wins to force the third set.
In Set 3, the Filipino tennis star struggled early on as her foe seized a 4-1 lead, and the former could not regain her bearings in time to see the latter cruise to victory.
On to the next, Alex!
Eala now shifts her focus to the qualifying tournament starting Monday, August 19 for the US Open where she seeks her first Grand Slam main draw appearance.
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