In a shocking twist, Alex Eala suffered painful 6-7, 1-6 setback to 18-year-old Tereza Valentova of Czech Republic to make an early exit in the WTA 1000 Qatar Open late Monday (Manila time) at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.

Eala, who rose to her career-best No. 40 ranking a day before, was obviously outworked, outgunned and outhustled by the younger, more aggressive Czech to bomb out in the Round of 64 of this prestigious event that is rated just one rung below the Grand Slam tournaments.

Records show that Eala is always struggling against a Czech netter.

Prior to facing Valentova, the Filipina bowed to Barbora Krejcikova in the Round of 64 of the Wimbledon on 1 July, Linda Fruhvirtova in the Round of 32 of the Birmingham Open on 3 June, Marie Bouzkova in the Round of 32 of the Jiangxi Open on 28 October 2024, and Katerina Siniakova in the Round of 64 of the Wuhan Open on 7 October 2024.

More than that, it was the second loss of Eala to Valentova, who also beat her in the Japan Women’s Open in October of last year when she was just a few months removed from her campaign in the junior division.

Still, the Czech has nothing but praises to her fellow rising star.

“She’s a really good player and a really good fighter, so it was a really good match,” Valentova said.

“I’m just super glad and grateful that I can be here and compete on this beautiful center court. I’m really glad that I won this tough match.”

While most of Eala opponents would be initially thrown off by the loud cheers of the Filipino crowd in attendance, Valentova simply brushed it off as she drew from her experience in the French Open last year where she defeated local bet Chloe Paquet, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, in the first round.

“I’ve played in front of a bigger crowd before, like at the French Open, so I knew how this works. Hats off to the fans — you were incredible today,” Valentova said.

It was Eala’s first early exit in a WTA 1000 tourney of the year and her second overall in the women’s singles. The 20-year-old Filipina ace lost to world No. 77 Alycia Parks of the United States, 6-0, 3-6, 2-6, in the first round of the Australian Open last January.

Fatigue might have kicked in for the Rafael Nadal Academy alumna as she has been competing since the Auckland Open last month and had only a few days to rest and recover.

Despite the lost, Eala is still thankful for the fans who came out and supported her in the Qatar Open.

“Immensely grateful for the people who continuously show for me and the sport. You all inspire me every day,” Eala said, adding that a setback will only make her hungrier and more determined.

“Talo ngayon pero tuloy pa rin ang laban. Bawi tayo sa susunod!”

Eala will now be taking a much-needed breather as she prepares for the Dubai Tennis Championships at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre from 15 to 21 February — her final stop in the Middle East stint before flying to the United States for the BNP Paribas Open in March.