Alex Eala fell to second-seeded Renata Zarazua of Mexico, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, in the quarterfinals of the ITF W100 Cary Tennis Classic in North Carolina on August 15, 2024 (August 16 in the Philippines), after leading by a set and a break.
Eala Opens Strong Before Zarazua Fights Back
Eala, ranked No. 147, dominated the first set 6-3 with strong baseline play. She carried that momentum into the second set, building a 4-2 lead that put her within reach of a straight-sets win.
Zarazua, ranked No. 104, had other plans. She broke Eala’s serve and won four straight games to take the second set 6-4, pulling the match level and shifting the momentum heading into the decider.
Decisive Third Set Turns the Tide
Zarazua raced to a 3-0 lead in the third set. Eala fought back to close the gap to 4-3, but a service break in the eighth game proved decisive. Zarazua closed out the match 6-3 in the third to complete the comeback.
Eala Looks Ahead to the US Open Qualifiers
The loss ended Eala’s run at Cary, but it capped a second straight ITF W100 quarterfinal appearance after also reaching the last eight in Landisville, Pennsylvania, the week before. She now turns her attention to the US Open qualifiers, which begin August 19 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, as she continues her bid to become the first Filipina to reach a Grand Slam main draw.
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