Alex Eala pulls out of Catalonia Open

(UPDATE) PHILIPPINE tennis star Alex Eala reportedly pulled out of the Catalonia Open in Spain.

Eala's name did not appear in the 32 participants of the main draw, in an updated draw sheet released by the tournament.

She was set to be the Catalonia Open's sixth seed, but as a result, Australian Maya Joint took her spot, and was set to face Aliona Bolsova of the host country in their first match.

The 19-year-old Filipina, who remains 72nd in the world, according to the Women's Tennis Association, was fresh off a rematch loss to world No. 2, Poland's Iga Swiatek, at the Madrid Open second round.

Eala's rank remained unchanged, despite that she ranked 71st in the WTA Live Rankings over the weekend.

Swiatek was to face off against Russia's Diana Shnaider in the round of 16 on Tuesday, as of press time. She defeated Czech Linda Nosková in the tournament's round of 32 in two sets, 6-4, 6-2.

It was in the Miami Open quarterfinals last March 27 where Eala defeated Swiatek, 6-2, 7-5, before making her semifinals appearance.

Eala, meanwhile, is set to join the Italian Open and will also make her debut appearance at the French Open main draw, with both tournaments starting in May.