Eala’s Canadian Open run ends with straight-set loss to Bencic

Alex Eala’s impressive run at the WTA 1000 Canadian Open came to an end Monday after the 25th seed suffered a 6-4, 6-0 loss to 12th seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in the fourth round at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto.

The defeat snapped Eala’s seven-match winning streak and ended her bid for a place in the quarterfinals.

The 20-year-old Filipina once again received strong support from Filipino fans at the 12,500-seat Stadium Court, but struggled to match Bencic’s consistency and experience, particularly in the second set.

Eala opened the match with a comfortable hold, but Bencic quickly took control by breaking her in the third and fifth games.

The Filipina responded by breaking back twice to level the opening set at 4-4 and appeared poised to regain momentum.

Bencic, however, held serve in the ninth game before breaking Eala again to close out the set.

The Swiss former world No. 4 then dominated the second set, winning all six games to complete the victory in one hour and 13 minutes.

Bencic, the 2015 Canadian Open champion and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, advanced to the quarterfinals as she continues her bid to return to the top of the women’s game.

Despite the loss, Eala leaves Toronto with another significant result in her breakthrough season.

The Filipina will now turn her attention to the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open, scheduled for August 13 to 23, with several days to recover before returning to competition.