Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 6) – Young Filipina tennis star Alex Eala and her American partner Elvina Kalieva suffered an early exit in the opening round of the 2020 French Open girls’ doubles tournament Tuesday in Paris, France.
The duo was outlasted by unseeded Italian pair Lisa Pigato and Eleonoa Alvisi, 5-7, 6-2, 7-10.
Eala and Kalieva, who partnered in the 2019 US Open, held a 5-4 lead in the opening set but the Italian duo made some aggressive breaks to force a 12th game and win the set.
The momentum shifted to Eala and Kalieva during the second set as they never surrendered the lead due to their high percentage of first serve and receiving points.
In the deciding third set, both teams engaged in a tight battle but it was Pigato and Alvisi who got a better tempo in the closing games with their perfect slate of second serve points.
Despite the upset loss in doubles’ play, Eala will still play in the third round of the singles’ event as she will face Spain’s Leyre Romero Gormaz.
READ: Alex Eala advances to 2020 French Open 3rd round
Eala and Indonesian partner Priska Nugroho won the girls’ doubles title of the 2020 Australian Open last January.
