Alex Eala exits Australian Open after three-set loss to Alycia Parks

Alex Eala’s Australian Open campaign opened with a statement—and ended with a hard lesson against one of the tour’s biggest servers.

The Filipina ace stunned early by blanking Alycia Parks in the opening set, 6-0, before the American regrouped and leaned on her power game to pull away for a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory in their Round of 64 clash at Melbourne Park.

Eala looked fully in control at the outset, racing through the first set with authority. She converted three break points, dominated the return exchanges, and won 55.6 percent of return points compared to Parks’ 38.1. Even with Parks firing four aces to Eala’s one in the opening frame, it was the Filipina who led in total points won and dictated the tempo from the baseline.

Momentum, however, swung sharply in the second set.

Parks opened with a 2-0 lead and refused to let Eala settle. The Filipina nearly stole the third game, but Parks held firm to stretch the advantage to three games. Eala briefly stopped the bleeding by taking the fourth game, then rattled off points to narrow the gap to 3-2. 

She eventually clawed her way back to level the set at 3-all, showing the grit that has defined her rise on tour.

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SALAMAT SA LABAN, ALEX

Alex Eala showed heart and grit on the Australian Open hard court before bowing out against world No. 99 Alycia Parks in the opening round, 6-0, 3-6, 2-6.#AlexEala #AustralianOpen #AO26 pic.twitter.com/ZVBmP6cT5z

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) January 19, 2026

That push proved to be Eala’s last surge.

Parks reasserted control by breaking the tie and surging ahead 5-3, then closed the set 6-3 by winning three of the final games. The numbers reflected the shift—Parks claimed 29 total points in the second set to Eala’s 23, signaling the American’s growing command.

The deciding set followed a similar pattern. Parks jumped out to a 4-2 lead, continuing to pressure Eala with pace and placement on serve. Two more games later, the match was over, with Parks sealing the third set, 6-2.

Despite the loss, Eala finished with 83 total points won, but Parks’ serve proved decisive. The American piled up a 12–1 advantage in service aces, a gap that ultimately tilted the match in her favor as it wore on.

For Eala, the early dominance in the first set showed she belongs on the sport’s biggest stage. For now, though, the Australian Open run ends in Melbourne—with the question remaining if she will participate in the upcoming WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open. 

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