Alex Eala cruises past Malaysian to reach SEA Games semifinals

December 16 ------ Alex Eala wasted little time asserting her presence, rolling to a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Shihomi Leong of Malaysia in the women’s singles quarterfinals of the 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games in Nonthaburi. “I’m very happy with the first round, it presented challenges and happy with how [it went], wala masaya ako sa crowd, maraming nag-support, masaya ako sa suporta,” the WTA campaigner told the media after the game.

With the win, Eala, who didn't see action in the team event where the Philippines won a bronze medal, assured herself of at least another bronze entering the semifinals where she'll play home bet Thasaporn Naklo. However, the 20-year old isn't done for the day as she is set to team up with Nino Alcantara in the mixed doubles event. At world No. 52 the highest ranked player in the SEA Games field, recovered from an early 1-3 deficit in the opening set, stringing together five straight games to take control for good.

She carried that momentum into the second set, racing to a 3-1 lead and maintaining her grip until the finish. Eala is aiming to surpass her 2022 SEA Games haul, where she claimed bronze medals in both women’s singles and mixed doubles.

Source: spin.ph