Alexandra Eala moved one step closer to an Asian Games medal after defeating Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland, 7-5, 6-0, in the women’s singles quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Nagoya, Japan.
The Philippine top seed overcame a competitive opening set before taking complete control in the second, winning six consecutive games to finish the match in straight sets.
Garland kept pace with Eala early in the contest, but the Filipina eventually pulled away to take the first set, 7-5. Eala then dominated the second set, denying her opponent a game and closing out the 1-hour, 49-minute match.
Eala was particularly effective when returning serve, winning 40 of 67 receiving points. She also converted seven of 15 break-point opportunities while Garland managed only two of five.
The victory sent Eala into the final four of the women’s singles tournament as she continues her bid for the Philippines’ first tennis gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Eala, who won bronze at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, will next compete in the semifinals. (Adrian Co)
