Alex Eala has fallen short again to win the ultimate prize as she lost her quarterfinals match in 3 sets versus Rebecca Marino in the Ilkley Open last night, June 13, 2025.
A Wire to Wire 3-Set Thriller
The 20-year-old Filipina, who entered the match as the tournament’s top seed, dominated early with a commanding performance in the first set, racing to a 2-1 lead and wrapping up the frame in under 30 minutes.
Final Score of Set 1: 6-1
However, she could not sustain her momentum. The eighth-seeded Marino, currently ranked No. 107 in the world, quickly regrouped and blanked Eala in the second set to even the match and shift the pressure.
Final Score of Set 2: 6-0
The pride of Quezon City, Philippines, showed flashes of resilience in the third, opening with a love game and recovering from a 1-3 deficit by stringing together three straight games to go up 4-3. But the experienced 34-year-old Canadian held her nerve in the final stretch, eventually edging out the young Filipina in a tight tiebreak to seal the match after an hour and 45 minutes of play.
Final Score of Set 3: 7-6 (7-4)
Marino advances to the semifinals as she looks to defend her 2024 Ilkley Open title against 19-year-old Swiss player Celine Naef, who’s currently ranked No. 184 in the world.
More Grass Tournaments Before Wimbledon
This performance by Alex Eala is certainly a lot better than the one she had in her 1st grass court tournament this year, which was in the Birmingham Open.
In Birmingham, she was eliminated in the 1st round both in Singles and in Doubles.
Here in Ilkley Open, she was able to defeat Lizette Cabrera in the Round of 32, and in Round of 16, she dominated Valentina Ryser in 2 sets.
The once upon a time ranked no. 69 which was her career best after her Cinderella-esque performance in the Miami Open 2025, has now dropped to No. 77 after her stint in 2 grass tournaments.
Eala is still expected to join more grass tournaments before participating in the Wimbledon Open from June 30 until July 13.
