How Elena Rybakina outsmarted Alex Eala: Here is the surprising breakdown

Alexandra Eala is out of the Italian Open singles draw after a straight-sets loss to Elena Rybakina in Rome.

Rybakina, who is seeded second at the tournament, won 6-4, 6-3 in their third-round match.

Eala entered the WTA 1000 event without a seed and recorded wins over Magdalena Frech and Wang Xinyu before her run came to an end against Rybakina.

The Filipina star has since broken down her defeat at the Italian Open, where she remains active in doubles play as world number 42.

Alexandra Eala speaks on her loss to Elena Rybakina at the Italian Open

After their first ever match, the young star said: “Yeah I’m happy with my performance. I think I was able to reach a good level of tennis. I don’t think it was an easy win for her. So yeah, of course, things to work on and learnings from this match. But I think I’m in a good way.”

Eala further discussed how she managed to compete with Rybakina’s power during their match:

“All in perspective, of course. She hits a good ball so it’s very difficult. I think, of course, power, sometimes being aggressive, is really my game. But in the end, she’s two meters so it’s difficult. But I think today I did what I could, and yeah I’m happy.”

The Filipina also commented on how Rybakina handled critical moments better: “Yeah they were very competitive games. But I think that she has the capacity to win a couple more free points. And of course she’s much more experienced than I am.

“She’s the reigning Grand Slam champ, she won Australia and she’s been doing great since then. So I think the experience and many other factors helped her today.”

Looking ahead to her doubles campaign alongside Zheng Qinwen at the Foro Italico event, Eala said: “It feels great. They were runners-up at the Madrid Open last time out.

Alexandra Eala feels positive about clay-court progress after Rome exit

The 20-year-old has already played Linz, Stuttgart and Madrid this year, picking up two wins from five matches before heading to Rome.

That record now sits at 4-4 for the year, and she’s been using these events as part of her build-up to Roland Garros later this month.

Eala felt she handled the surface well against Rybakina and told reporters: “I think I moved well today, and I took my chances when I needed to.

“I’m very happy with this week because I do see the improvement on clay court, especially when you compare it to my experience here last year. I’m really happy with how I’ve been playing and the work I’ve been doing off competition with my team.”

Eala also spoke about how she is still adjusting to playing on clay: “It’s a long process, and I think my relationship with clay is getting better and better. Of course it’s a good week, and there will be hopefully many more good weeks and many more bad weeks. So I’m really positive with my progress.”

Alexandra Eala is pleased to continue the Italian Open with a doubles appearance

Eala can be satisfied with how she played in Rome, especially after losing her opening match at the same tournament last year.

But there won’t be much time to reflect on this run, as she now turns her attention to the doubles draw.

Teaming up with Hailey Baptiste, they’ll face second seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend in the first round, having entered the draw as alternates.

Speaking about getting into the event, Eala said: “Yes super happy. We got in as alternate. We didn’t get into the initial draw and we were first out.

“And we got the news today. So I’m really happy to stay here in Rome and have a couple more days playing at this level.”

This will also give her another opportunity to work on her game on clay, though beating experienced doubles players like Siniakova and Townsend will be a tough ask.

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