World No. 72 Alex Eala closed her Madrid Open campaign with a 6-4, 4-6, 2-6 defeat against world No. 2 and defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland in the Round of 64 at the Manolo Santana Stadium in Spain Thursday evening (Manila time).
Swiatek denied Eala another chance for an upset as their match lasted for two hours and 15 minutes.
Eala is coming off a 6-3, 6-2 victory over world No. 64 Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria last Tuesday in the Round of 128.
The 19-year-old Rafael Nadal Academy geaduate tied her best finish in Madrid Open after making it to the Round of 64 last year before losing to Sorana Cîrstea of Romania, 3-6, 7-6, 4-6.
After the Madrid Open, Eala remains in Spain as she is set to join the Catalonia Open Vic Tennis Club on 28 April.
Eala is gearing up for her main draw debut in the French Open on 25 May at the Roland Garros Stadium.