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FILE–The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala serves a ball to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala crashed out in the first round of the Strasbourg Open in France late Monday night (Manila time).
A late replacement in the main draw of the WTA 500 tournament, Eala suffered an early exit at the hands of Ukrainian qualifier Oleksandra Oliynykova, 6-3, 5-7, 3-6.
“It’s an amazing match. It’s very close [and it’s] a fight for every point,” said the World No. 66 Oliynykova, who made her Strasbourg debut just like Eala.
READ: Alex Eala to play at Strasbourg Open main draw
What it means 💚
Oleksandra Oliynykova digs deep for the three set win!#IS26 pic.twitter.com/LDYuOenqpc
— wta (@WTA) May 18, 2026
It was an emotional victory for Oliynykova, who drew big inspiration from his father to battle back and upset the fan favorite and higher-ranked Eala in a back-and-forth duel that lasted for nearly three hours.
“This win is very important to me because my father is in the army and defending Ukraine,” said Oliynykova, trying to hold back her tears.
“It’s been almost two years, but] now he has a vacation, and he’s coming tomorrow to France. He’s coming here [to watch me play]. Every day is so emotionally important to me. I’m so happy because he will come here and he will see me for at least one match. Hopefully, more.”
READ: Alex Eala embracing clay growth ahead of French Open
Eala rallied from 40-love and 4-0 down to knot things up at 5-5 in the second set before Oliynykova hung on to force a decider.
The Filipino tennis ace then took a 3-2 edge and was at break point before Oliynykova–whose unusual and entertaining style of play puzzled Eala at times–regained her groove en route to chalk up one of the biggest wins of her career.
Eala, who climbed to World No. 38 in the latest WTA rankings, sees action at the French Open next set later this month.
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