Thrice, top Pinay tennis sensation Alex Eala was at the precipice of a first-ever Grand Slam debut in 2024, and three times, she fell short.
Third time’s, unfortunately, not the charm for Alex Eala.
The Filipina tennis sensation's hopes of making a dream Grand Slam pro debut met a heartbreaking end, after suffering a 6-3, 1-6, 4-6 loss to world No. 61 Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania in the third and final qualifying round of the US Open women's singles at Flushing Meadows, New York City.
The 19-year-old ace could not capitalize on a strong start before fighting valiantly in a two-hour-and-eight-minute contest, but ultimately fell at the hands of the much-experienced Romanian foe.
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Both tennisters engaged in a tight battle in the third set, forging a 3-3 deadlock before Ruse broke the Filipina pride in the seventh game and held serve for a 5-3 lead.
A US Open juniors champion in 2022, Eala refused to quit and got one back to nudge closer at 5-4 but it was too little too late as Ruse, a semifinalist in the 2024 French Open, shut the door on Eala in the 10th game to emerge victorious.
The loss was another huge blow for the teenage star, who fell in the final qualifying round for the third Grand Slam in a row this year.
Back in May, Eala surrendered a 6-4, 6-7, 4-6 loss to Julia Riera of Argentina in the third qualifying round of the French Open after winning her first two matches.
[ALSO READ: Birthday girl Alex Eala falls to Argentinian foe in French Open qualifiers]
At the qualifiers for the Wimbledon Championships last June, she got swept by Lulu Sun of New Zealand, 6-7, 5-7, in the same stage of the women's singles.
Earlier, the world no. 148 in Eala benefited from Ruse's 15 unforced errors and four double faults to claim the opening set.
However, the second set saw a complete reversal where the Romanian blasted past the Filipina thanks to her 15 winners and 32 points won to force a third and deciding set.
Former PBA comissioner and former Philippine Sports Commission chairperson Noli Eala lauded the efforts of his niece.
"Alex Eala battled, clawed and fought. She was right there in the match. Clearly she has vastly improved displaying more power and variety in her shots. Just fell a bit short," he noted. "It's also clear that the competition at this level is so high. Still proud of you Alex! Malapit na."