Alex Ila’s run at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells came to an end in the round of 16 as she lost to Linda Noskova in a clash of former junior rivals.
The 20-year-old Filipino player lost 6-2, 6-0 to the No. 14 seed on Wednesday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Eara, seeded 31st, defeated the Czech Republic twice in junior competitions. The first time was in the final of Les Petits As Le Mondial Lacoste in Tarbes, France in 2018, and the quarterfinals of the French Open women’s tournament in 2020, but there was no answer in the first match as a professional.
Noskova set the pace early in the first set and grabbed early momentum by breaking Ila in her first service game. She almost took a 3-0 lead, but Ila put up some resistance by saving two break points and getting on the board.
The Czech continued to apply pressure from the baseline and eventually pulled away 4-2, making another decisive break in the seventh game and ending the set in the eighth game. Noskova’s powerful serve anchored the set, hitting three aces and winning 80% of her first serve points.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with the Czechs dominating to win the bagel, but Ila unable to find a rhythm. Noskova’s serve efficiency was consistent, with seven aces and 78% of her first serve points.
Eara received a walkover in the second round, but defeated Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska. Her loss to Noskova continues her poor performance against Czech opponents. Aira is currently 0-11 against Czech players in his professional career.
The Filipino player returns to the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, looking to build on the confidence that came with his breakthrough semi-final run in last year’s tournament.
