Alex Eala’s bid for an Asian Games women’s singles gold medal came to an end on Thursday afternoon after China’s Wang Xiyu rallied past the Filipina, 3‑6, 6‑3, 6‑2, in the semifinals at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Nagoya, Japan.
Eala, who entered the match 2‑0 after beating beating Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej and Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland, immediately imposed her game on the fourth‑seeded Chinese, using aggressive returns and sharp forehand shots to build a commanding 5‑0 advantage in the opening set. Wang struggled to settle into the match but eventually found her rhythm, winning three consecutive games to cut Eala’s lead to 5‑3. The Filipina refused to let the comeback continue, navigating a tense ninth game before closing out the set, 6‑3.
Wang Xiyu Turns the Momentum in Second Set
Wang came out stronger in the second frame and began dictating the longer rallies with her powerful groundstrokes. After the opening games were split, the Chinese player broke Eala to move ahead before consolidating her advantage. Another break soon gave Wang a commanding 5‑1 lead.
Eala showed her fighting spirit once again, breaking Wang and holding serve to trim the deficit to 5‑3. But Wang remained composed and held in the following game to level the match at one set apiece. The momentum had completely shifted heading into the decider.
Wang Xiyu Pulls Away in Deciding Set
Alex Eala opened the third set by holding serve, but Wang quickly seized control. After the two players exchanged holds, Wang broke Eala and followed with another service hold to take a 3‑1 lead. She then broke again to extend her advantage to 4‑1.
Eala attempted another comeback, but Wang immediately responded and continued to dictate the exchanges. The Chinese fourth seed eventually reached match point at 5‑2 before closing out the contest, 6‑2.
The two‑hour‑and‑34‑minute battle ended Eala’s gold‑medal hopes and secured another bronze for the Filipina.
Alex Eala Settles for Second Straight Asian Games Bronze
Despite the defeat, Eala matched her women’s singles bronze‑medal finish from the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. She also previously won bronze in mixed doubles at Hangzhou.
“I think she played really well today,” Eala said after the match. “I think she was more consistent… I think I had a couple of ups and downs during the match.”
Still, Alex Eala expressed gratitude for representing the Philippines at the continental competition. “It meant a lot to me to be here and to compete. At the end of the day, I gave my all, I prepped the best I could prep, I fought the best I could fight. So, yeah, you know, happy that I was able to have this experience,” she added.
Wang advances to an all‑Chinese gold‑medal match against Zhang Shuai. With her Asian Games campaign now complete, Alex Eala turns her attention back to the WTA Tour as she prepares for the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open, which is set to begin on October 12.
