Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

Iconic duo Alex Eala and Venus Williams fell to the pairing of Eri Kato and Liudmila Samsonova, 4-6, 3-6, in the first round of the National Bank Open doubles on Friday (Manila time).Kato and Samsonova raced out to a 2-0 lead before Eala held to pull one back at 2-1 in a quick, sharp game.The Japanese-Russian pairing moved ahead 3-2 then 4-2, but Eala and Williams produced a strong break to level at 4-4 and breathe new life into the set.But the momentum swung back.A competitive game at 5-4 saw Venus broken, and Kato and Samsonova closed out the first set 6-4 in just 38 minutes of high-level tennis.The second set saw Eala and Williams trail 0-4. But the pair refused to fold, fighting back point by point to claw their way to 2-4. Yet Kato and Samsonova steadied to take the set 6-3 and the match.Eala now turns her full focus back to singles, where she continues her campaign at the WTA 1000 National Bank Open against Caty McNally.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/8/6/for-toronto-tournament-director-alex-eala-is-absolute-blessing-to-tennis-1507">For Toronto tournament director, Alex Eala is &#x27;absolute blessing&#x27; to tennis</a> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/8/6/tennis-alex-eala-downs-parks-advances-to-canadian-open-third-round-1046">Tennis: Alex Eala downs Parks, advances to Canadian Open third round</a> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2026/8/5/from-tennis-cakes-to-one-eala-brands-congratulate-alex-eala-after-dc-open-triumph-1648">From tennis cakes to &#x27;One Eala&#x27;: Brands congratulate Alex Eala after DC Open triumph</a></div>

Iconic duo Alex Eala and Venus Williams fell to the pairing of Eri Kato and Liudmila Samsonova, 4-6, 3-6, in the first round of the National Bank Open doubles on Friday (Manila time).

Iconic duo Alex Eala and Venus Williams fell to the pairing of Eri Kato and Liudmila Samsonova, 4-6, 3-6, in the first round of the National Bank Open doubles on Friday (Manila time).

Alex Eala, Venus Williams fall in National Bank Open doubles

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Alex Eala, Venus Williams fall in National Bank Open doubles

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 07, 2026 10:57 AM PHT

|

Updated August 07, 2026 11:22 AM PHT

Read More:

Alex Eala

Venus Williams

National Bank Open

doubles

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