Alex Eala marches on to Asiad semis by eliminating Chinese-Taipei's Garland

October 1 ------ Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala dug deep in the first set before cruising in the second frame against Chinese-Taipei's Joanna Garland, 7-5, 6-0, to clinch a semifinals berth in the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 at the Center Court of the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center.

The quarterfinal win ensures Eala at least a bronze medal finish in the continental showpiece, and another semifinals Asiad appearance after advancing to the Final Four in the Hangzhou Games in 2023. Garland gave a scare in the first set, leading 4-3 and 5-4 over Eala, before the top seed responded with a forehand winner to tie at 5-5, and breaking the opponent in the next game for a 6-5 advantage.

Eala went on a tear, establishing a 40-0 lead in what eventually turned to be the last game of the set, but Garland's last hurrah included a backhand winner for a 40-30 count. The Filipina found the closer for a 1-0 set lead, and the huge momentum to quickly turn the tightly-contested match into a bagel in the second, eliminating world No. 143 Garland in the process.

Eala tipped her hat to her "good friend," saying she has a lot of qualities of a "great tennis player." "I think she should be proud of reaching the quarterfinals. I think we are good friends, and I think that's what I remember her for the most -- being a good person. She's a great player, obviously, she has really good high quality shots, she has a lot of power, great serve. Many good qualities, and she's a fighter," said Eala, as she spoke of Garland.

The Pinay tennister will now face China's Wang Xiyu in the semis, with a spot in the finale on the line.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com