Eala started an impressive stint after a win against Switzerland’s Waltert, 6-1, 6-4 in opening the W25 tournament of the 2021 ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour located at her home base at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy, Manacor, Spain.

The Filipina netter actually won her first pro tournament title just two months ago that was conducted here. 

The 20-year-old Walter currently ranks at 284th in the world in the WTA rankings while Eala stands with her highest at the start of the month at 763rd.

But it was a different story after facing the Jana Fett of Croatia which ranked no. 210 in the world.

Eala took control of the first set, as she was relentless to maintain a lead with her timely points on serve against the Croatian.

The 24-year-old opponent made a comeback in the second set as she started a 2-0 lead but Eala retook the lead by her service point, 3-2.

Fett regained her pace as she capitalized on winning aces and points from errors to win the second set, 6-3, that forced a deciding third frame.

Fett’s momentum was carried in the third set as she tallied a 3-0 edge over Eala but the Filipina ace did not give up as she got breakpoints to trim the Croatian’s lead that tied the game, 5-5. 

Eala had a gallant attempt to win the match but Fett sustained her nerves better with some timely shots.

The match lasted two hours and 57 minutes.

With this, the loss considers as worst finishes in over the five professional tournaments the young netter had joined this year after clinching her maiden pro title in the first leg of W15 Manacor as well as garnering three quarterfinal finishes from the last two legs of that tour and the ITF W25 Grenoble tournament in France.