Eala, partner booted out of Birmingham Open doubles

MANILA, Philippines -- Alex Eala and partner Nikola Bartunkova had an early exit from the Birmingham Open doubles’ action after absorbing a tough three-set defeat against the second-seeded Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden Monday evening (Manila time.) 

Eala opened her grass campaign with a grueling defeat after an hour and 28 minutes. 

The Filipina and her Czechian teammate had a strong start, going up 4-0 in the first set. 

However, it was a matter of time for the hometown pair to heat up, blanking their opponents the rest of the way to take the first set, 6-4. 

Eala and Bartunkova then forced a tiebreak after breaking a 2-all deadlock in the second set to a 6-2 victory. 

But in the third set, the British team outlasted their opponents to head to the quarterfinals. 

The World No. 37 tennister will now set her sights on the singles’ action as she faces Australian Priscilla Hon in the first round early Tuesday morning (Manila time.) 

Eala is the top seed of the WTA 125 tournament.