Alexandra Eala has bowed out of the Italian Open singles draw after losing to Elena Rybakina.
Rybakina defeated Eala 6-4, 6-3 in the third round of the tournament in Rome, where the former is the second seed.
Eala was unseeded at the WTA 1000 event, where she overcame Magdalena Frech and Wang Xinyu before falling to Rybakina.
The Filipina superstar has now done her best to analyze the defeat at the Italian Open, where the world number 42 remains in the doubles draw.
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Alexandra Eala analyzes Italian Open loss vs Elena Rybakina
Speaking after losing to the world number two in their first career meeting, Eala told Dyan Castillejo: “Yeah I’m happy with my performance.
“I think I was able to reach a good level of tennis. I don’t think it was an easy win for her. So yeah, of course, things to work on and learnings from this match. But I think I’m in a good way.”
Sharing how she was able to match the firepower of her big-hitting opponent, she said: “All in perspective, of course.
“She hits a good ball so it’s very difficult. I think, of course, power, sometimes being aggressive, is really my game.
“But in the end, she’s two meters so it’s difficult. But I think today I did what I could, and yeah I’m happy.”
And suggesting what Rybakina did well in the tight points, Eala commented: “Yeah they were very competitive games.
“But I think that she has the capacity to win a couple more free points. And of course she’s much more experienced than I am.
“She’s the reigning Grand Slam champ, she won Australia and she’s been doing great since then. So I think the experience and many other factors helped her today.”
READ MORE: Alexandra Eala confirmed for grass-court tournament shortly before Wimbledon
Alexandra Eala believes she is improving on clay after Rome exit
The tournament represents Eala’s fourth clay-court tournament in 2026, with the 20-year-old having also played in Linz, Stuttgart and Madrid, from which she claimed two wins and three losses.
Now 4-4 on clay in 2026, she will have been using the events as preparation for Roland Garros, which returns to the WTA calendar later this month.
Sharing what she did well on the surface to remain in contention against Rybakina, she said: “I think I moved well today, and I took my chances when I needed to.
“I’m very happy with this week because I do see the improvement on clay court, especially when you compare it to my experience here last year.
“I’m really happy with how I’ve been playing and the work I’ve been doing off competition with my team.”
And tasked with looking ahead to Roland Garros, Eala added: “It’s a long process, and I think my relationship with clay is getting better and better.
“Of course it’s a good week, and there will be hopefully many more good weeks and many more bad weeks. So I’m really positive with my progress.”
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Alexandra Eala delighted to play Italian Open doubles
Eala can indeed be proud of her efforts in Rome, especially having lost her opening match at the tournament last year.
But she has little time to reflect on her latest run, with Eala facing a daunting Italian Open doubles task.
Playing alongside Hailey Baptiste, they meet second seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend in round one after entering the draw as the first alternate.
Looking ahead to that challenge, Eala said: “Yes super happy. We got in as alternate. We didn’t get into the initial draw and we were first out.
“And we got the news today. So I’m really happy to stay here in Rome and have a couple more days playing at this level.”
It represents another chance for the Filipina to improve her level on clay, although it will take a mammoth effort to get past doubles specialists Siniakova and Townsend.
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