Melbourne: Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra Eala had an early exit in her Australian Open debut Monday, bowing to American Alycia Parks, 6-0, 3-6, 2-6, at Melbourne Park.

According to Philippines News Agency, before a sold-out crowd decorated with Philippine flags on Court 6, Eala dominated the first set before Parks fired 12 aces to win the next two sets and arrange a second-round duel with Czech Karolina Muchova. Muchova, the No. 19 seed, defeated Romanian Jacqueline Cristian, 6-3, 7-6 (6).

Parks became more aggressive in the final two sets, overcoming the rowdy audience chanting "Let's go Alex". "It was very difficult. I was expecting it, but I (also) wasn't. She definitely has a good crowd. I just kept telling myself to stay in the zone," said the 6-foot-1 Atlanta native, who peaked at No. 40 in 2023.

Eala, who registered a career-best No. 49 ranking after reaching the ASB Classic semifinals in Auckland, New Zealand last week, is scheduled to play in the doubles first round with Brazilian Ingrid Martins on Tuesday. They will face Polish Magda Linette and Japanese Shuko Aoyama.