Top seed Alex Eala takes home bronze at 2026 Asian Games
Alex Eala secured back-to-back bronze medals at the 2026 Asian Games after falling to China’s Wang Xiyu in the semifinals on Thursday, Oct. 1, in Nagoya, Japan.
The top-seeded Filipina took the opening set, 6-3, but world no. 85 Wang fought back to win the next two sets, 6-3, 6-2, ending Eala’s bid for a spot in the final.
Eala will now take home a bronze medal from the women’s singles competition.
"A lot of good points, lot of tough moments for me. I think in the end, she (Wang) played better. [I] have to sit and think about it for a bit," she said post-game.
"It meant a lot for me to be here and compete. At the end of the day, I prepped the best I could. I fought the best I could fight. [I'm] happy I was able to have this experience."
Earlier in the tournament, the Pinay was also eliminated from the women’s doubles competition after she and partner Shaira Rivera suffered a second-round defeat.
The world no. 18 skipped the China Open to compete at the Asian Games, aiming to become the first Filipina to win the women’s singles title.
"Representing my country and playing these types of games, SEA Games, Asian Games and hopefully the Olympics—they're very close to my heart and a big part of my dreams," Eala previously said.
"I think these events are really fun, very competitive and a great experience for me," she added.
Eala also bagged bronze in the 2023 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China.
After Asiad, she is expected to compete at the Wuhan Open, a WTA 1000 event scheduled to begin on Oct. 12.
Last month, the Pinay tennis ace made history by becoming the first Filipino player to win a WTA Tour singles title. (With reports from AFP)
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