Alex Eala’s Toronto run ends with Bencic loss in National Bank Open

CEBU, Philippines — Alex Eala’s impressive run at the National Bank Open came to an end as the Filipina tennis star bowed to Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, 6-4, 6-0, in the Round of 16 in Toronto on Monday, August 10 (Philippine time).

The loss ended Eala’s bid for a place in the quarterfinals but capped another significant campaign for the 21-year-old Filipina, who continues to establish herself among the world’s top players.

READ: Alex Eala battles Olympian Belinda Bencic for Toronto quarterfinals spot

Eala arrived in Toronto fresh from winning her maiden WTA singles title at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, where she defeated American Jessica Pegula in the final. She then carried that momentum into the National Bank Open, winning three matches before running into Bencic.

Another milestone for Eala

Despite the disappointing finish, Eala’s Toronto campaign adds to a remarkable stretch for Philippine tennis.

The Filipina has already made history this year, becoming the first Filipino player to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles tournament when she advanced to the same stage at Wimbledon.

She also owns major wins over some of the sport’s biggest names, including former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

Eala will now turn her attention to the next tournaments of the North American hard-court swing as she continues her rise on the WTA Tour.

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