The gulf in level of play between Alex Eala and top 50 player Marie Bouzkova becomes evident early as the Filipina teen exits in the first round of a WTA 500 event in Guadalajara, Mexico

MANILA, Philippines – Qualifying for the main draw of a WTA 500 event is one thing. Pulling off a win in the main draw against a top 50 player is another thing altogether. 

Alex Eala learned this in the opening round of the 2024 Guadalajara Open Akron when she suffered a methodical dismantling at the hands of sixth seed Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-2, on Tuesday, September 10 (Wednesday, September 11, Philippine time).

The world No. 147 Eala, who qualified for the first time in a WTA 500 main draw, was thoroughly outgunned by an opponent who sits 102 notches higher in the world rankings. 

Bouzkova is currently 45th in the world and held a career-high No. 24 in 2022 when she reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals. The 26-year-old also holds career victories over recent US Open champion and world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, third-ranked Jessica Pegula, No. 6 and 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff, and 11th-ranked Danielle Collins. 

The gulf in level of play in the first-round encounter between the two former US Open junior champions was evident right from the opening set. 

Bouzkova never faced breakpoint while breaking Eala’s serve twice to gain a one-set advantage after just eight games. 

Eala had her chances in the second set but simply could not capitalize. She gained breakpoint four times in the very first game, but Bouzkova rose to the occasion and saved all four to hold serve. 

The Filipina teen had two more breakpoints in the third game, but once again could not convert, falling into a 4-0 hole.

Eala finally got on the scoreboard at 4-1 and tried to mount a rally. She saved three match points in the seventh game to break Bouzkova for the second time. 

But it was a case of too little too late as her Czech foe was already in total command of the match. Bouzkova broke Eala a fourth time in the eighth game of the second set to end the match at the Panamerican Tennis Center after an hour and 38 minutes.

Bouzkova will gun for a spot in the final eight when she tangles in the second round with Lucrezia Stefanini of Italy, who prevailed in three sets over wildcard entry Ana Sofia Sanchez of Mexico. – Rappler.com