EASTBOURNE, United Kingdom — In the championship match, Alex Eala faced 19-year-old Maya Joint in what became a rigorous three-set thriller. After dropping the first set 4-6, Eala stormed back to dominate the second set 6-1.
The deciding set was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, with Eala holding four championship points in the tiebreak before Joint clawed back to win 7-6 (12-10)
Alex Eala ends historic Eastbourne run in heartbreaking loss vs. Maya Joint
As the final point slipped away, Eala broke down in tears — but the Eastbourne crowd rose to their feet in a roaring ovation.
Even in defeat, she stood tall, smiling through tears as fans chanted her name and waved Filipino flags.
“Lovely afternoon, What a cracking day, it’s so good, we’re gonna be looking up for next week!” one of Alex’s British fans, Sam, said.
“Grabe! Ka-intense ng laban. You know, the outcome. We're still very proud of you, Alex. You still have so many, many chances in the future," Louie Galapin, a Filipino fan said.
"You’ve done well during the finals. There’s still Wimbledon and all big events coming so, keep it up! We are so very proud of you. You keep the spirit high here, if you can see around even the English people are rooting for you, so keep it up well done."
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Gigi Buenaventura Perrett, Gina Consing McAdam and Rica Sian Afable witnessed Alex Eala since Day 1.
“Well done Alex, it could have been your game, you played really well, you have a future ahead of you, you made us very proud.”
Eala now turns her focus to Wimbledon, where she’s set to make her main draw debut against defending champion Barbora Krejcikova.