Alexandra Eala’s bid for Asian Games gold came to an end on Thursday as the Philippine tennis star fell to China’s Wang Xiyu, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, in the women’s singles semifinals in Nagoya, Japan.
Eala, who entered the tournament as one of the favorites for the title, will instead take home a bronze medal after being unable to sustain her strong start against the Chinese left-hander.
The Filipina appeared headed for a comfortable opening set after racing to a 5-0 lead. However, Wang fought back and made Eala work to close out the frame before the Philippine No. 1 eventually secured it, 6-3.
Wang carried the momentum into the second set, breaking Eala’s rhythm and forcing a deciding third set after taking the frame, 6-3.
Eala struggled to regain control in the decider as Wang continued to apply pressure from the baseline. The Chinese player pulled away to claim the final set, 6-2, and book a place in the gold medal match.
The statistics reflected a tightly contested battle, although Wang finished with 98 total points won to Eala’s 88. She also converted six of 11 break-point opportunities, compared with Eala’s four of 12.
Despite the semifinal setback, Eala secured a podium finish for the Philippines in the women’s singles event.
Her Asian Games campaign included a dominant 6-1, 6-0 victory over Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej in the round of 16 before she defeated Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland, 7-5, 6-0, in the quarterfinals. (Adrian Co)
