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Alex Eala and American partner Hailey Baptiste at the Italian Open, May 12, 2026. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

Alex Eala and American partner Hailey Baptiste at the Italian Open, May 12, 2026.

Article (news)

Italian Open

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17785848009761778582281234840.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Alex Eala and American partner Hailey Baptiste at the Italian Open, May 12, 2026. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>Alex Eala and American partner Hailey Baptiste at the Italian Open, May 12, 2026. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News</div>Alex Eala and American partner Hailey Baptiste exited the Italian Open doubles tournament in the first round after falling to the pair of Taylor Townsend and Kateřina Siniaková in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, in Rome, Italy on Tuesday (Manila time).The opening game of the match was tightly contested with Townsend and Siniaková eventually grinding out the hold for a 1-0 lead before quickly building momentum.The top doubles pair who are two-time Grand Slam champions surged ahead 4-1 and later 5-2 in the first set, showing their chemistry and experience on clay.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/5/11/-really-proud-of-you-ej-obiena-cheers-on-alex-eala-in-rome-1513">READ: ‘Really proud of you’: EJ Obiena cheers on Alex Eala in Rome </a></div>Eala and Baptiste attempted to stay within striking distance, but Townsend and Siniaková closed out the opener strongly. From trailing 0-30 in the final game of the set, the duo won four straight points to secure the first set, 6-2.The second set followed a similar pattern as the experienced tandem immediately took control, racing to a 2-0 and eventually 4-0 advantage.Eala and Baptiste managed to get on the board at 4-1, but Townsend and Siniaková continued to dominate behind strong serving and aggressive net play before sealing the match with a 6-1 second set.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/5/11/alex-eala-takes-positives-from-tough-rome-open-battle-against-elena-rybakina-1133">READ: Alex Eala takes positives from tough Rome Open battle against Rybakina: ‘Really happy with my progress on clay&#x27; </a></div>Townsend, currently ranked world No. 2 in doubles, is a former doubles world No. 1 who reached the top ranking in July 2025. The 30-year-old American has captured 15 doubles titles in her career.Among her recent triumphs are titles at Madrid, Miami, and Indian Wells this season alongside Siniaková, as well as the Australian Open and Dubai titles in 2025.Siniaková, meanwhile, currently holds the world No. 1 doubles ranking. The 30-year-old Czech star owns an impressive 36 doubles titles and remains one of the most accomplished doubles players on tour.Like Townsend, Siniaková also won titles this season in Madrid, Miami, and Indian Wells.

Alex Eala and American partner Hailey Baptiste exited the Italian Open doubles tournament in the first round after falling to the pair of Taylor Townsend and Kateřina Siniaková in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, in Rome, Italy on Tuesday (Manila time).

Alex Eala and American partner Hailey Baptiste exited the Italian Open doubles tournament in the first round after falling to the pair of Taylor Townsend and Kateřina Siniaková in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, in Rome, Italy on Tuesday (Manila time).

Tennis: Eala, Baptiste fall to Townsend, Siniaková, bow out of Italian Open doubles

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Tennis: Eala, Baptiste fall to Townsend, Siniaková, bow out of Italian Open doubles

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 12, 2026 07:20 PM PHT

Read More:

tennis

Alex Eala

Hailey Baptiste

Italian Open doubles

Taylor Townsend

Kateřina Siniaková

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