MANILA – Alexandra Eala’s campaign at the WTA 500 HSBC Championships ended in the second round after she suffered a 2-6, 2-6 defeat to American sixth seed Iva Jovic at The Queen’s Club in London on Wednesday night (Philippine time).
The 21-year-old Filipino opened the tournament on a high note with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over China’s Zhang Shuai. But she struggled to match Jovic’s pace and consistency in their latest encounter.
Jovic extended her perfect record against Eala to 2-0, having also defeated her in the first round of the French Open earlier this season.
Currently ranked No. 19 in the world, Jovic—an Australian Open quarterfinalist this year—advances to face either Amanda Anisimova or Laura Siegemund in the next round.
Eala, meanwhile, still enjoyed a ranking boost to World No. 33 after climbing from No. 37, following her breakthrough victory at the Birmingham Open. That title marked her first grass-court crown and her second WTA 125 championship after winning in Guadalajara in 2025.
Last year, she also delivered a landmark performance at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, securing the Philippines’ first women’s singles gold in 26 years.
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