Alex Eala blasts into Asian Games quarters in just 55 minutes

Alex Eala made a ruthless start to her Asian Games title charge with victory in just 55 minutes on Monday.

The world no. 18 and favorite for women's singles gold in Nagoya thrashed Thailand's Patcharin Cheapchandej 6-1, 6-0.

It was a mismatch, with Patcharin ranked 517th in the world, and top seed Eala will face Taiwan's UK-born eighth seed Joanna Garland in the quarter-finals.

"It feels great! You know it's great to be back with the team. It's great to represent the Philippines in a different way than I normally do," she told Cignal after the match.

"I think I performed pretty well. Of course, the conditions were not ideal, but I guess it's our job to adapt, and it's something not in our control, and of course, it adds some adversities, but that goes for everybody."

Rain in Nagoya forced the match to be moved twice—from Center Court to Show Court, and later to an indoor court at Higashiyama Park with no room for fans, some of whom flew from Manila to catch Eala's Asiad debut.

According to a Philippine STAR report, Cignal, which broadcasts the Asian Games in the Philippines, had to hurriedly move its three-camera setup to follow where the match eventually took place.

Eala, 21, last month became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour title.

She has become wildly popular in the Philippines, her every match followed by large numbers of cheering fans.

Eala is skipping the prestigious China Open in Beijing to represent her country at the Asian Games.

She had a bye in the first round. (with reports from Ayie Licsi)