Eala falls short vs Xinyu, exits ASB Classic singles

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala had the victory on the palm of her hand.

But slowly, it slipped away, and when she tried to grab it back, it was too late.

The Filipina bowed out of the ASB Classic women’s singles’ semifinal after absorbing a tough 7-5, 5-7, 4-6 defeat against Wang Xinyu Saturday in Auckland.

Eala had a spirited run in the first set, and held the lead in the second set, but the Filipina could not capitalize.

Wang held a 5-1 lead in the first set, as she grabbed the momentum right from the get-go.

But the World No. 53 tennister climbed her way out of the hole, winning the next six games to grab the improbable comeback win, 7-5.

In the second set, Eala trailed early, 0-2. But she won five of the next six games to move within a game from the match, 5-3.

It was Wang’s time to mount a comeback, as she won the next four games and get the second set, 7-5, to force the third frame.

This time, the Chinese, ranked 57th in the world, broke the set wide open, going up 4-0.

Eala finally put herself on the board as she held her serve, 1-4, but Wang quickly recovered to get to match point.

The fourth-seeded Filipina tried to rally back, winning the next three games to cut the deficit to one, 4-5. But Wang would not be denied.

Eala thus exited the New Zealand tournament – both singles’ and doubles’ – in the semifinals.

She earlier defeated Donna Vekic, Petra Marcinko and Maga Linette in the earlier rounds.

Wang, for her part, will face either Elina Svitolina or Iva Jovic in the final.

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