Alex moving on from another ‘Czech-mate’

MANILA, Philippines — The road is not stopping in Miami for the Filipina tennis queen after being “Czech-mated” anew.

For the 13th time in as many matches, Alex Eala failed to solve a Czech puzzle and spiraled down the world rankings after a Last 16 finish in her Miami Open return at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Eala fell to another Czech trap in world No. 14 Karolina Muchova in a methodical 6-0, 6-2 clinic in 60 minutes.

Eala, though, is looking at the bigger picture.

“I’m in a position where this tournament is not all or nothing. You know what I mean? Not everything’s on the line. But in regard to how I approach expectations and external noise, it’s that I know my truth,” said Eala on the WTA website, looking forward to the clay season starting with the Linz Open in Austria next month.

Before Muchova, Eala also lost 12 prior matches against Czech players: Anastasia Zarycka (2020 ITF Spain, 6-2, 6-4), Gabriela Knutson (2023 ITF France, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1), Tereza Martincova (2024 ITF Slovakia, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6), Katerina Siniakova (2024 Wuhan Open, 6-3, 6-1), Marie Bouzkova (2024 Jiangxi Open, 7-5, 7-6 and 2024 Guadalajara Open 6-2, 6-2), Linda Fruhvirtova (2025 Birmingham Classic, 7-5, 6-7, 6-1), Barbora Krejcikova (2025 Wimbledon, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1) and Marketa Vondrousova (2025 National Bank Open, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2).