Alex Eala Settles for Bronze After Asian Games Semifinal Loss
Filipino tennis star Alex Eala saw her bid for a maiden Asian Games gold medal and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualification end on October 1 after falling 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to China’s Wang Xiyu in Nagoya, Japan.
Wang Xiyu Rallies Past Alex Eala in Nagoya
The match at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center shifted after the opening set. Eala, the tournament’s top seed and world number 18, controlled the early exchanges to take the first set. Wang, ranked 85th, responded by lifting her consistency and exploiting mounting errors from her opponent. Eala’s level dropped during the second set before she slipped to a 4-1 deficit in the decider. Wang successfully warded off late break points from the increasingly desperate Filipino player before serving out the match to love.
Eala Wins Bronze but Faces WTA Ranking Penalties
The defeat consigns Eala to her second singles bronze medal at the Asian Games, matching her third-place finish in mixed doubles at Hangzhou three years ago. By traveling to Nagoya, the 21-year-old skipped the concurrent China Open in Beijing to represent the Philippines. That decision means she forfeited ranking points and prize money from the mandatory WTA event, which could result in a fine and a ranking penalty.
“I’m really happy to have experienced this, to experience the support … and to be with the team and, yeah, to compete for the country,” Eala told reporters after the match, adding that she had no regrets about her scheduling choice.
“Wang was more consistent,” Eala said regarding the semifinal loss. “I had a couple of ups and downs during the match which is something I have to talk to my team about and process.”
Upcoming All-China Final Matchup in Nagoya
Wang advances to an all-China final against 37-year-old Zhang Shuai. Zhang earned her spot in the championship match by defeating Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva 6-4, 6-2. Zhang brings extensive experience to the final, having medalled at three previous Asian Games, including a singles silver in Jakarta in 2018 and team gold at the 2010 Guangzhou Games. Speaking about her longevity in the sport and potential future appearances at the 2030 Games in Doha, Zhang noted that she often feels each tournament might be her last.
“As long as you don’t give up on yourself, no one else in this world can give you that death sentence,” Zhang said.