Alex Eala settles for runner-up in Luxembourg tourney as comeback falls short

MANILA, Philippines – Not the ending to the season she would have wanted, but still a pretty good way to cap off a fruitful year for the Philippines’ brightest tennis star.

Alex Eala found her groove a little late and fell short in her comeback bid as she suffered a 6-2, 7-5 defeat to third seed Oceane Dodin of France in the final of the ITF W40 Kyotec Open at the Tennis Club Petange in Luxembourg on Sunday, November 19.

The power-hitting Dodin, 27, broke Eala in the very first game to set the tone in a dominant opening set then proceeded to break the Filipina twice more.

Formerly ranked 45th in the world who has made the main draw multiple times of all grand slam events, Dodin appeared well on her way to another easy win in the second set, racing to a 3-0 lead.