Eala's US Open juniors run ends, bows to Thai

MANILA, Philippines – Alex Eala’s impressive run of good form in the US Open juniors girls singles came to an abrupt end Wednesday when she fell to Thailand’s Mai Napatt Nirundorn, 5-7, 3-6, at the Cary Leeds Match Court 5 in New York.

Nirundorn, who moved to the second round after American Tyra Black retired due to injury in the first round, overcame service woes by posting a better winning percentage on first serve (34 of 42-81%) as against the Filipinas’ 59 percent performance (27 of 46).

The Thai, who had 15 double faults but made two aces, also posted a 51 percent clip (34 of 67) in receiving points won as against Eala’s 32 of 76 effort (42%).

Nirundorn piled up 78 total points won, 13 better than Eala, who made eight double faults.

It was a sorry exit for the 14-year-old Eala, who had put up a pair of brilliant games in the two-day qualifier then dominated Annerly Poulos, 6-1, 6-2, in the first round of the main draw.

Eala’s partnership with American Elvina Kalieva likewise ended in a, 3-6, 3-6 setback to Selena Janicijevic and Aubane Droquet of France in the second round of doubles play.