Alex Eala has now secured a silver medal as she beats Thailand opponent, Thasaporn Naklo, in the Tennis Women’s Singles semifinals of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the National Tennis Development Centre in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on the afternoon of December 16.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
From the opening exchanges, the 20-year-old Eala made her intentions clear.
The world No. 52 raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set, immediately placing Naklo under pressure. Although the Thai managed to get on the board in the fourth game, Eala quickly reasserted control, sweeping the next three games to pocket the opening set with ease.
FINAL SCORE OF SET 1: 6-1
The Filipina’s ability to dictate rallies and capitalize on her opponent’s errors proved decisive, as she surrendered just one game in the first frame against Naklo, a former Iowa State Cyclones player who had earlier pulled off an upset in the tournament.
Naklo Pushes Back in the Second Set
The second set presented a stiffer challenge. Backed by the home crowd, Naklo surged ahead 2-0 and later kept things level through a series of service holds.
At one point, the score was locked at 3-3 following an exchange of breaks, threatening to swing momentum in the Thai’s favor.
Eala, however, remained composed. She clawed her way back by winning three straight games, then delivered a crucial break in an extended game to move ahead 4-3. From there, she held serve to go up 5-3 before Naklo managed to extend the match by another game.
Refusing to let the contest slip, Eala dominated the 10th game, building a 40-15 lead before sealing the match when Naklo committed an attack error.
The straight-sets win sent the Filipina into her first SEA Games singles final.
FINAL SCORE OF SET 2: 6-4
With the victory, Eala is now assured of at least a silver medal, which would be her best finish yet in the biennial meet as she now stands just one win away from ending a 26-year gold medal drought for the Philippines in women’s singles tennis.
The last Filipina to capture the title was Maricris Fernandez-Gentz in 1999, while the most recent finalist before Eala was Clarice Patrimonio, who settled for silver in 2017.
Coach Denise Dy Praises Eala’s Composure
Women’s team head coach Denise Dy lauded Eala’s maturity, particularly during the more demanding moments of the match.
“I think her opponent is a very experienced player. I think Alex definitely handled the center court very well. She had some resistance, especially in the second set,” Dy said to the POC Media
“I thought the Thai player, Naklo, did a very good job battling and trying to compete back. I think that’s also what makes Alex great. She was able to not only respond very well, but close it out, which I think was very important for her.”
Gold Medal Match Awaits Against Another Host Country Representative
Standing between Eala and the gold medal is another Thai opponent, Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
The former world No. 100 advanced to the final after Indonesia’s Janice Tjen retired midway through their semifinal due to breathing difficulties.
The championship clash is set for Thursday, December 18, at the same Nonthaburi venue. Win or lose, Eala is guaranteed to improve on her three-bronze-medal haul from her SEA Games debut in 2022, but the Filipina star has her sights firmly set on the top of the podium.
No Time to Slow Down With Mixed Doubles Still in Play
Despite her singles success, Eala’s schedule remains packed.
Before she competes for gold, she will return to the court on Wednesday for the mixed doubles semifinals alongside longtime partner Niño Alcantara.
The Filipino duo is set to face Indonesia’s Aldila Sutjiadi and Christopher Benjamin Rungkat, with a spot in the gold medal match on the line. Eala has already secured at least a bronze in the event, adding to her growing medal tally in Bangkok.
With momentum firmly on her side, Eala continues to chase multiple podium finishes as well as potentially winning a historic gold for the Philippines as her SEA Games campaign reaches its most decisive stretch.
