Alex Eala exits Italian Open after valiant stand vs. world No. 2 Elena Rybakina

Alexandra "Alex" Eala displayed poise and determination before bowing to world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, absorbing a 6-4, 6-3 loss in the Italian Open Round of 32 on Sunday in Rome.

The Philippine bet gave Rybakina a scare, but the second-seeded player imposed her will to grind out the victory and advance to the Round of 16, where she will face either Laura Siegemund of Germany or Karolina Pliskova.

The loss, meanwhile, marked the end of Eala's campaign in Rome.

The 20-year-old Eala, however, made sure to put up a strong fight against the Grand Slam champion.

She struck first in the opening set and even claimed the ninth game to cut the deficit to 4-5.

Rybakina, who owns 13 career singles titles so far, responded with a quick forehand before sealing the opening frame with a powerful serve that the Filipina could not return.

Eala then grabbed a 2-1 advantage in the second set behind back-to-back dominant games, but the 26-year-old Rybakina quickly restored order by taking the next three games to build a crucial 4-2 cushion.

The Filipina ace then managed to claim the following game, but Rybakina stayed composed despite the threat of an upset.

The Kazakh star unleashed a strong backhand to take a 30-0 lead in the ninth game before an error from the Filipina handed her match point. Rybakina then finished off the contest with a decisive forehand winner.

—JKC, GMA News