PHILIPPINE tennis sensation Alexandra “Alex” Eala played a near-flawless game, but still fell to Czech Marketa Vondrousova, 6-3, 1-6, 2-6, in the first round of the copyright Open women’s singles at the IGA Stadium in Montreal, Canada early Monday in Manila.

The 20-year-old Eala made no errors throughout her 126-minute encounter with Vondrousova, who advanced to the second round.

Vondrousova also had no miscues with her game and scored decisively on five break points and seven aces when she bounced back after losing the first set.

In joining a tournament for the first time after her Wimbledon debut, Eala earned $12,770 or P728,790.18 for her performance.

Vondrousova, a former Wimbledon champion, played her first match since returning from an injury. She will next face No. 24 seed Marta Kostyuk in the Round of 64.

Eala’s setback kept her from setting up a rematch with Kostyuk, who eliminated the Filipina at the Italian Open first round last May, 0-6, 1-6.

Eala, the first Filipina to have played in an WTA final event at the Eastbourne Open and in  Wimbledon, will resume preparing for the US Open in New York, set from August 24 to September 7.

She will next see action in the Mexico and Cincinnati Opens.

The 5’9” Eala looked headed for another upset win when she took the first set, with her mean  forehand forcing her  Czech foe to struggle with her serve.

In the end, Vondrousova adjusted to Eala’s game and won 44 points off 56 first serves.

Vondrousova, who had five double faults in the first, committed five across the second and third combined, unloading seven aces in putting away Eala.