Eala falls to Jovic anew for quick exit at Queen’s Club

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala reached the end of her HSBC Championships journey after succumbing to good friend Iva Jovic, 6-2, 6-2, Wednesday evening (Manila time.) 

Jovic, who defeated Eala in the French Open last month, repeated against the Filipina in dominant fashion, getting the victory in an hour and 16 minutes. 

The World No. 19 American jumped to a great start, going up 4-1 in the first set before Eala broke her opponent’s serve to inch closer, 2-4. 

But Jovic was too good to deny as she won the next two games to grab the first set, 6-2. 

It was more of the same in the second set, as the 18-year-old American broke the frame wide open, going up 5-1. 

Eala, though, held her serve in the seventh game to keep herself alive, but Jovic reasserted her mastery and smashed her way to the win. 

Jovic punched in 28 receiving points to the World No. 33’s 15. She also won 33 service points against Eala’s 22. 

Eala defeated Zhang Shuai in the first round of the tournament, 6-3, 6-2, to set up the clash with Jovic. 

The American will now face either Laura Siegemund or World No. 5 Amanda Anisimova in the going tournament also known as Queen’s Club.