Alex Eala bows out of National Bank Open in Montreal

Filipina tennis player Alex Eala, ranked world No. 69, lost to world No. 63 Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic in the first round of the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, Canada.

Vondrousova won the match 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in two hours and six minutes, coming back after Eala won the first set.

Eala, fresh off a month-long vacation in the Philippines, had her left shoulder taped at the start of the match and took the first set strongly with aggressive forehands and backhands.

The 2023 Wimbledon champion Vondrousova rallied to win the next two sets, capitalizing on a string of unforced errors and double faults from Eala.

Vondrousova led in aces with 7-0 and had a higher percentage of service points won (62% vs. 54%) and return serve points won (46% vs. 38%).

This match was Eala's first competition after a short break and served as a warm-up for her US Open main draw debut.

Eala is expected to compete next in the Cincinnati Open starting on August 7 as part of her US Open preparations.

Vondrousova will face WTA No. 28 Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the second round.