Alex Eala vs Oleksandra Oliynykova at Strasbourg Open.– FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP, MARTIN KEEP/AFP PHOTOS
Alex Eala opens her campaign at the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open in France against Ukrainian World No. 66 Oleksandra Oliynykova in the round of 32.
2026 Strasbourg Open schedule
8:20 p.m.**** – Alex Eala vs Oleksandra Oliynykova
FILE–The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala serves a ball to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala crashed out in the first round of the Strasbourg Open in France late Monday night (Manila time).
A late replacement in the main draw of the WTA 500 tournament, Eala suffered an early exit at the hands of Ukrainian qualifier Oleksandra Oliynykova, 6-3, 5-7, 3-6.
“It’s an amazing match. It’s very close [and it’s] a fight for every point,” said the World No. 66 Oliynykova, who made her Strasbourg debut just like Eala.
LIVE: Alex Eala vs Oleksandra Oliynykova – Strasbourg Open
What it means 💚
Oleksandra Oliynykova digs deep for the three set win!#IS26 pic.twitter.com/LDYuOenqpc
— wta (@WTA) May 18, 2026
FINAL: Alex Eala falls to Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova, 6-3, 5-7, 3-6 in their debut round in the Strasbourg Open.
Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/3Oez4ExoWx pic.twitter.com/PeasdnhW76
— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) May 18, 2026
Oliynykova long. Eala 30-40
Eala error. Oliynykova match point, 40-15
Oliynykova serving for the match
Oliynykova slice winner for 5-3 lead.
Eala short. Oliynykova break point, 40-15.
Eala error. Oliynykova, 4-3
Eala forehand winner down the line for break point
Oliynykova breaks back, 3-3
Eala breaks to grab the lead, 3-2
Eala defends to tie at 2-2
Eala smiles as game goes to an eighth deuce
Crucial double fault for Eala. Oliynykova sixth break chance
Back-and-forth continues as Eala forces another deuce.
Oliynykova cross-court slice for break point number four.
Eala goes wide
Eala saves third break point
Eala saves second break point
Oliynykova lobs one over Eala for the adv.
Back-to-back passing shots by Oliynykova, 30-15
Oliynykova massaging her right leg. She’s had a couple of tumbles during the match.
Oliynykova underarm slice serve winner, 2-1.
Eala hustles to get one through, 30-30
Showing off her speed 👟
Alexandra Eala closes out the rally with a top-tier get!#IS26 pic.twitter.com/ZZvcp9XIfI
— wta (@WTA) May 18, 2026
Eala out. Oliynykova breaks back, 1-1.
Eala error. Oliynykova break point, 40-15.
Ela unforced error, 15-30
Eala takes the opener of the third, 1-0.
We are going the distance 👏
Oleksandra Oliynykova locks in the second set with a passing shot!#IS26 pic.twitter.com/qlwdX9zGSg
— wta (@WTA) May 18, 2026
Oliynykova hangs on to force a deciding set, 7-5.
Eala scores at the net, 15-0
Eala shoots self in the foot with an error-prone 11th game. Oliynykova takes the lead, 6-5.
Three straight points for Oliynykova, 40-15.
Sixth double fault for Oliynykova. Eala 15-0.
Eala comes back to knot it up, 5-5
Eala backhand, 40-30
Eala breaks, 4-5.
Fifth double fault for Oliynykova. Eala break point, 40-30
Oliynykova serving for the set
Oliynykova breaks back, 5-3.
Eala breaks again to pull within, 3-4, after another Oliynykova error.
Oliynykova double fault gives Eala the advantage.
Oliynykova short on the slice. Eala break point, 40-30
Eala forehand, she holds easily but still behind, 2-4.
Eala fighting back in the second set, 40-0.
Eala on the board, trailing 1-4, after a double fault by Oliynykova, who blew a 40-love lead
Oliynykova out, Eala break point.
Eala long on the overhand. Oliynykova adv.
Oliynykova adv after an ace.
Three straight points for Eala to force the deuce.
Oliynykova double fault. Eala 30-40
Oliynykova rolling in the second set, winning 13 of the last 15 points, 40-0.
Oliynykova breaks Eala again, 4-0.
Eala backhand winner, 15-30.
Simply remarkable 🤩
Oleksandra Oliynykova picks her shot and executes!#IS26 pic.twitter.com/YSndFe1huG
— wta (@WTA) May 18, 2026
Oliynykova off to a hot start in the second set, 3-0.
Oliynykova serving well, 40-0.
Oliynykova gets her first break, now leads, 2-0.
Eala double fault. Oliynykova break point, 40-30
Strong service game gives Oliynykova the headstart in Set 2, 1-0.
Oliynykova ace, 40-15.
Out in front 👊
Alex Eala takes care of business in the opening set, winning it 6-3 against Oliynykova!#IS26 pic.twitter.com/q2isN2Xikx
— wta (@WTA) May 18, 2026
Eala forehand down the line to take the tough opening set, 6-3.
Eala volley for set point No. 3.
Eala overhand winner for set point No. 2.
Three break points saved by Eala, who gets the adv.
Oliynykova with a chance to break back, 40-15.
Eala gets the first break of the match, 5-3.
Eala again with a strong return, 40-15.
Eala blasts a return, 30-15.
Eala holds after a grueling back-and-forth for a 4-3 edge.
Oliynykova easily handles Eala’s serve for another deuce.
Eala back with the adv.
Sixth deuce we go.
Eala advantage, chance to end what has been a grueling game.
Eala saves again. But Oliynykova gets to a fifth break point.
Eala error. Oliynykova fourth break point.
Oliynykova drop. Third break point for the Ukrainian.
Eala saves after Oliynykova goes wide.
Oliynykova back at break point
Eala smart play, deuce.
Eala wide. Oliynykova break point 40-30.
Eala error. Oliynykova 30-15
Oliynykova survives, 3-3.
Eala too strong on the forehand. Oliynykova adv.
Oliynykova responds, gets the advantage
Oliynykova error. Eala break point. First of the match.
Eala good intention but poor execution. Oliynykova levels 30-30
Eala holds again to retake the lead in the opening set, 3-2.
Oliynykova goes long after a good exchange. Eala 40-15
Eala scores at the net, 30-0
Eala forehand winner down the line, 15-0.
Oliynykova defends serve, 2-2.
Eala forces the deuce, Oliynykova advantage
Eala short on the return. Oliynykova 40-15
Eala holds serve to love, 2-1.
Oliynykova miscalculates the slice. Eala 30-0
Oliynykova cruises to even it up, 1-1
Oliynykova catches Eala off guard with a drop, 30-0.
Eala dictating the tempo early, holds serve, 1-0.
Eala wins the rally to get things going.
Eala a late replacement for Hailey Baptiste in Strasbourg.
Eala wins the toss and decides to serve first.
Both are making their debut in Strasbourg.
Alex Eala, who climbed to 38th in the WTA rankings, and World No. 66 Oleksandra Oliynykova now on the court.
Alex Eala to play at Strasbourg Open main draw
The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala returns the ball to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Alex Eala has entered the main draw of the Strasbourg Open in France this coming week.
The Women’s Tennis Association website and the organizers confirmed Eala’s entry after initially being listed as a qualifier in the WTA 500 tournament.
Eala will be facing a Ukrainian qualifier Oleksandra Oliynykova to start her campaign in France — her fifth tournament on clay.
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