Eala’s fightback not enough, falters in Asian Games tennis semis

Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala pushed Chinese Zheng Qinwen to the limit but fell short, 1-6, 7-6(5), 3-6, in the 19th Asian Games women's singles semifinals in Hangzhou, China on Thursday, September 28.

Alex Eala of the Philippines fell short against Zheng Qinwen of China in women’s singles tennis at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Thursday, September 28, 2023. PSC PHOTO

Seeded fourth in the tourney, world No. 190 Eala came back from a 2-5 game deficit in the second set and forged a deciding set at the HOC Tennis Centre CC.

Eala even took a 3-1 game lead in the third frame but the world No. 23 Zheng stayed composed, proving why she's the number one seed in the tournament as she racked up five straight wins to advance in the gold medal match.

The 20-year-old Zheng finished off the match with an attack that the 18-year-old Eala managed to hit back but her return sailed out of bounds.

Eala, nonetheless, ended the Philippines' 17-year-medal drought in tennis at the Asian Games, securing the bronze with her semifinal finish.