By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense tennis star Alexandra Eala’s Australian Open women’s singles campaign came to an early end after she bowed to American Alycia Parks in the first round in Melbourne, Australia yesterday.

Eala, currently ranked 49th in the world, burst out of the gates, cruising to a dominant 6-0 win in the opening set as she controlled rallies and repeatedly broke Parks’ serve.

However, the momentum shifted in the second set, with the 100th-ranked Parks finding her rhythm behind a powerful serve to claim the next two frames, 6-3, 6-2, and complete the comeback.

Parks leaned heavily on her serve to turn the match around, firing 12 aces compared to just one by Eala.

The American also won 52 service points, while Eala finished with 41.

Despite the loss, the 20-year-old Eala slightly edged Parks in total points won, 83-81, and posted a higher first-serve percentage at 93 percent, compared to Parks’ 90 percent.

Break-point conversion proved to be a key factor.

Eala managed to convert only four of 17 break-point chances, while Parks was more efficient, converting four of eight opportunities.

Parks also won more receiving points, 42-29, helping her dictate play in the latter stages of the match.

While her singles run has ended, Eala will remain in Melbourne for doubles action as she is scheduled to team up with Brazilian partner Ingrid Martins in the women’s doubles first round on Tuesday morning, January 20, where they will face the pairing of Poland’s Magda Linette and Japan’s Shuko Aoyama./ASC, WDJ