Returning to the court after an 18-day hiatus, Eala faced immediate pressure from the 22-year-old Prozorova. The opening stages were defined by a slow start for the Filipina, who struggled to make an impact on her opponent's serve. Prozorova capitalized on this, establishing an early 3-1 lead in the first set. However, Eala mounted a significant comeback, winning four consecutive games to flip the script and move within reach of the opener. Despite needing seven set points to finally close it out, Eala secured the first set 6-4.
A shifting momentum in Singapore
The second set proved to be a tightly contested affair, characterized by a series of traded breaks. Eala initially gained the upper hand by breaking in the third game to lead 2-1, but Prozorova responded instantly to level the score. The two players continued to exchange breaks, with Eala holding a 4-2 advantage at one point. Prozorova, currently ranked world No. 180, displayed resilience by stringing together a three-game run late in the set. A decisive break in the 12th game allowed the Russian to clinch the second set 7-5, forcing the match into a decider.
The final set saw Prozorova carry her momentum forward, quickly establishing a 2-0 lead. Eala showed grit by breaking back in the third game and holding serve to square the set at 2-2. The pair remained deadlocked until the sixth game, when Prozorova secured a crucial break to edge ahead 4-3. From there, the Russian maintained her composure, breaking Eala’s serve once more in the eighth game before successfully serving out the match in the ninth to seal her victory.
Following this exit from the Singapore Tennis Open, Eala’s focus now shifts to the upcoming 20th
