Alex Eala’s ASB Classic campaign ends

Alex Eala’s impressive run at the ASB Classic in Auckland came to an end on Saturday, falling to China’s Wang Xinyu in the women's singles semifinals. The exit followed a grueling two-hour and 48-minute marathon.

Eala overcame an early 0-4 deficit to steal the opening set 7-5, only for the Olympic medalist to narrowly reclaim control in the subsequent sets, 7-5, 6-4.

Wang becomes the first Chinese woman in more than ten years to secure a spot in the tournament’s singles final. She is set to face either Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina or the USA’s Iva Jović in the final.

Before her singles match, Eala and partner Iva Jovic saw their doubles campaign end in the semifinals. The duo fought hard but ultimately dropped a 5-7, 3-6 decision to the Chinese pair of Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan.