Alex Eala bows out of Wuhan Open qualifiers after three-set loss to Uchijima

Filipina tennis player Alex Eala was eliminated from the 2025 Wuhan Open qualifiers after a three-set loss to Japan's Moyuka Uchijima, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

The loss to the world No. 92 Uchijima marked Eala's first early exit from a qualifying round since entering the Top 100 of the WTA rankings.

Eala, currently ranked No. 58, took a medical timeout in the third set of the two-hour and 11-minute match.

This was Eala's fifth consecutive three-set match over seven days, following appearances in the Jingshan Open and Suzhou Open.

Despite the defeat, Eala displayed resilience throughout her recent matches on the Asian tour.

She is scheduled to compete next in the Japan Open in Osaka from October 13 to 19, followed by the Guangzhou Open and Hong Kong Open.

Eala is poised to rise in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings soon after her performances despite falling short of a trophy.

She reached No. 54 in the WTA live rankings and might even be higher by the time she competes in the Japan Open.