Alex Eala exits Oeiras Ladies Open after loss to Hungary’s Udvardy

Top-seeded Alex Eala saw her run at the Oeiras Ladies Open come to an end after a Round of 16 loss to Hungary’s Panna Udvardy in straight sets, 7-6, 6-4.

Udvardy got the early break in the first set and led 40 -0 in the third game but Eala came back pounding and closed in at  1-2. Udvardy's serve won her key points and led 3-1.

Eala came back with her ultra aggressive game, with winners of the forehand and backhand side to level 3-3.

Udvardy  found her pace on serve to take a 4-3 lead, but Eala stayed composed and held her own, highlighted by a backhand pass winner to push the set into a tiebreak at 6-6.

In the tiebreak, Udvardy showed her clay court experience  and led 5-2 and 6-3  and win 7-4 to snatch the first set, 7-6.

Eala responded strongly to start the 2nd showing more tenacity, ripping winners, stepping into the second serve, and breaking Udvardy twice to a 4-1 lead. 

However, Udvardy showed resilience and shifted the momentum with strong hitting, changing direction, coming to the net on the right moments, and serving winners.  

The Hungarian tied at 4-4 and broke Eala to serve for the match at 5-4.

Udvardy relied on her strong first serve to take her to 2 match points at 40-15.

Eala fought back and saved both.

Serving on deuce Udvardy earned another match point and sealed the victory forcing a forehand error from Eala and completing a comeback from 1-4 in the 2nd set to win 7-6, 6-4.

With the loss, the 19-year-old Filipina, currently ranked World No. 72 concluded her campaign in Oeiras and will now turn her focus to the Madrid Open next week.