Eala settles for runner-up in Kyotec Open

ALEX Eala came up short in her bid to win her third singles professional title of the year and fifth overall.

This, after the Filipino tennis ace yielded to French Oceane Dodin, 1-6, 5-7, in the W40 Kyotec Open in Petange, Luxembourg on Sunday night, November 19 (Manila time).

Eala said she’s more than happy to take home the runner-up’s trophy, though.

Alex Eala FILE PHOTO 

“I enjoyed every match this week, and am more than delighted to be going home with a trophy,” wrote Eala in a Facebook post on Monday, November 20.

Banking on her strong service game and even breaking Eala’s serve thrice, Dodin jumped on Eala for a dominant first set triumph, 6-1.

World No. 101 Dodin seemed to be on her way to another easy victory in the second set as she jumped on 204th ranked Eala, 3-0.

The 18-year-old Filipino finally came to her senses and racked up five straight games to lead the 27-year-old French at 5-3.

Dodin, however, returned the favor and won the last four games, holding her serve in the 11th game and breaking Eala’s in the 12th for the win.

Dodin’s service game was too much for Eala with the French scoring 10 aces against nothing for the latter. Dodin also broke Eala’s service six times as the Filipino managed to break the French’s twice only.