Kostyuk sends Eala packing

Alex Eala absorbed a 0-6, 1-6 loss against Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the Round of 128 of the Rome Open in Italy early Thursday (Manila time).

Eala, 19, played for one hour and two minutes before getting swept by Kostyuk.

This is the Rafael Nadal Academy graduate's earliest exit since making it to the semifinal of the Miami Open last March.

Eala could opt to stay in Italy to compete in the Parma Ladies Open on 12 May.