MANILA — Alex Eala’s run in the US Open mixed doubles tournament ended in the round of 16 as she and partner Felix Auger-Aliassime were overwhelmed by Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils on Tuesday.
The Svitolina-Monfils tandem dominated from the middle of the opening set and cruised to a 4-1, 4-1 victory in just 39 minutes at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
The mixed doubles event features a shortened scoring system in which a team needs only four games to win a set, making quick starts and minimizing errors particularly important.
Eala and Auger-Aliassime initially looked comfortable, with Auger-Aliassime holding his opening service game. That proved to be their only lead, however, as Svitolina and Monfils responded by taking the next four games.
Double faults and other unforced mistakes contributed to the Filipino-Canadian pair’s struggles, with Auger-Aliassime’s errors helping the opposing team close out the first set.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Both tandems exchanged service holds in the first three games before Eala and Auger-Aliassime faltered again, allowing Svitolina and Monfils to establish a decisive advantage.
Monfils moved his team to match point with a powerful forehand winner. Svitolina briefly gave their opponents another chance with an error, but Auger-Aliassime was unable to capitalize, sending his return into the net to end the contest.
For Svitolina, the victory also provided a memorable opportunity to share the court with her husband, Monfils, who is competing in his last Grand Slam tournament before his planned retirement at the end of the year.
The Ukrainian said she and Monfils tried to remain focused while enjoying the unusual experience of playing together.
Svitolina and Monfils now await the winner of the match between Sabalenka-Djokovic and Siniaková-Patten for a place in the semifinals.
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