Key Takeaways
- China’s Wang Xiyu defeated top seed Alex Eala 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the women’s singles semifinals at the 20th Asian Games.
- The result earns Eala her second consecutive Asian Games singles bronze medal after also finishing third in Hangzhou in 2023.
- Wang’s victory guarantees the gold medal for China, setting up an all-Chinese final against Zhang Shuai.
How Alex Eala’s semifinal clash slipped away against Wang Xiyu
Alex Eala’s hopes of claiming gold at the 20th Asian Games came to an end on Thursday afternoon after China’s Wang Xiyu staged a comeback to secure a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory in the women’s singles semifinals at Higashiyama Park Tennis Center.
The defeat means the 21-year-old Filipina left-hander will take home another bronze medal, matching her result from the 2023 Games in Hangzhou. Three years prior, Eala also exited in the semifinal stage after a hard-fought battle against eventual champion Zheng Qinwen, falling 1-6, 7-6(5), 3-6.
Top-seeded Eala started Thursday’s match in complete control. Unlike her quarterfinal encounter against Joanna Garland, the world No. 18 came out attacking Wang’s serve from the opening points, stringing together three consecutive games to establish an early 3-0 advantage. Applying steady pressure on return, Eala held her ground to extend the cushion to 5-0.
Wang, the world No. 85, managed to disrupt Eala’s rhythm by grabbing three straight games of her own. The 25-year-old broke Eala in the seventh game and held in the sixth and eighth to close the gap to 5-3. However, Eala steadied herself in a tense ninth game, converting on her fourth opportunity to take the opening set 6-3. Her return play proved decisive during that stretch, winning 21 return points to Wang’s 12.
Chinese comeback sets up an all-national final
The second set began evenly, with both players holding through the initial three games. Wang then seized the initiative by breaking Eala in the fourth game and consolidating to take a 4-1 lead. A second break in the sixth game stretched the advantage to 5-1. While Eala managed to break back and hold to pull within 5-3, Wang maintained her composure to serve out the set 6-3 and force a decider.
In the final set, Wang broke again in the third game and held for 3-1 before securing another break to build a 4-1 lead. Although Eala claimed the sixth game, Wang quickly quelled any further rally, closing out the contest 6-2 in the eighth game.
With Eala’s exit, China locked up the gold medal, with Wang advancing to face compatriot Zhang Shuai in the final.
Alexandra Eala in 2026
Currently the world no.18 (career-high), Eala played her last match on the 24th of September when she capitulated to world no.123 Tatiana Prozorova 4-6 7-5 6-3 in the 2nd round in Singapore (draw).
During this season Eala owns an overall 40-22 record. Alexandra conquered 2 titles in 2026 in the Birmingham and Washington.
