Alex Eala’s quest for an Asian Games singles gold medal stayed alive on Wednesday in Nagoya, even as her doubles campaign came to a close at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center.
The top‑seeded Filipina battled past Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland, 7‑5, 6‑0, to guarantee at least a bronze medal. Garland, ranked No. 143 in the world, pushed Eala to her toughest test of the tournament in the opening set.
After trading early breaks, Garland threatened to steal the frame at 5‑4. Eala responded with poise, holding serve to level at 5‑5, breaking in the next game, and sealing the set, 7‑5. With momentum on her side, the world No. 18 raced through the second set, closing out the match in one hour and 49 minutes.
The victory ensured Eala’s second Asian Games podium finish, following her bronze in Hangzhou in 2023. She now advances to the semifinals against fourth seed Wang Xiyu of China.
Doubles Exit: Alex Eala and Shaira Rivera Fall to Chinese Pair
Later in the day, Eala teamed up with Shaira Rivera in women’s doubles but fell to China’s third‑seeded duo Jiang Xinyu and Yang Zhaoxuan, 7‑5, 6‑2.
The Filipinas rallied from 2‑5 down to tie the first set at 5‑5, but Jiang and Yang steadied to take the opener. The Chinese pair then surged ahead in the second set, building a 5‑1 lead before closing out the match.
Despite the defeat, the first‑time partnership showed flashes of resilience, though their campaign ended against seasoned opponents. Eala and Rivera’s exit followed the loss of Stefani Aludo and Tenny Madis to Hao-Ching Chan and Fang-hsien Wu of Chinese Taipei earlier in the day, leaving the Philippines out of medal contention in women’s doubles.
Alex Eala Next Match
Tournament: 20th Asian Games
Event: Singles – Semifinals
Match: Alex Eala vs. Wang Xiyu
Date: Thursday, October 1
Time: 1:00 p.m. (Estimated, subject to change)
