Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

(UPDATED) Filipina tennis star Alex Eala bowed out of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix after a straight-sets loss to world No. 25 Leylah Fernandez in their opening-round clash late Monday night (Philippine time) in Stuttgart, Germany.It marked Fernandez’s first match on red clay this season, and the Filipina-Canadian wasted no time asserting control.Both players came in with attacking mindsets, but it was Fernandez who dictated early.She consistently pressured Eala’s second serve, wrong-footing the Filipina while mixing in variety—including a well-executed drop shot winner—to surge to a commanding 4-0 lead in the opening set.Fernandez’s sharp angles and ability to change direction kept Eala on the defensive, as she extended her advantage to 5-0.Despite strong crowd support rallying behind Eala, the Filipina managed to get on the scoreboard late, but Fernandez comfortably sealed the first set, 6-1.Eala showed signs of a fightback in the second set. She opened with renewed aggression, firing an ace and two clean winners to take her first lead of the match at 1-0.The 20-year-old continued to hold her ground, producing another solid service game—including an ace—to stay within striking distance at 3-2.But Fernandez kept the ball striking and angles going to get the double break and lead 5-2.Eala broke to close to 5-3. She saved 2 match points at 15-40,  and pulled closer at 4-5.Fernandez closed out at match point #3 to win 6-1, 6-4.Fernandez, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 13 in August 2022, improved her win-loss record this season to 4-9.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala's debut at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart was a heartbreaker after she lost to Filipino-Canadian Leylah Fernandez in the first round.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala's debut at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart was a heartbreaker after she lost to Filipino-Canadian Leylah Fernandez in the first round.

Alex Eala exits Stuttgart Open in loss to Leylah Fernandez

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Alex Eala exits Stuttgart Open in loss to Leylah Fernandez

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 15, 2026 12:40 AM PHT

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Updated April 15, 2026 12:50 AM PHT

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Alex Eala

tennis

Leylah Fernandez

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