Alex Eala ends Asian Games run with bronze medal, falls short against China's Wang in semis

Alexandra Eala ended her 2026 Asian Games campaign with a bronze medal after falling to China’s Wang Xiyu, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, in the semifinals on Thursday in Japan.

The loss secured Eala a bronze medal, her third medal across her Asian Games appearances. She also won a bronze in the singles event in Hangzhou three years ago, as well as a bronze in mixed doubles.

Eala dominated the opening set, racing to a 5-0 lead before Wang won the next three games to close the gap. The world No. 18, however, regained her composure to take the set, 6-3.

The momentum shifted in the second set as Wang pulled away to a 5-1 lead. Eala fought back by winning two straight games, but Wang eventually closed out the set, 6-3.

The world No. 85 Wang carried the momentum into the deciding set, building a 4-1 advantage before Eala halted her run. The Chinese then regained control and closed out the match to advance to the gold medal match.

Eala, the tournament’s top seed, received a first-round bye before defeating Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapandrej in the Round of 16 and Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland in the quarterfinals.

On the WTA Tour, Eala is enjoying a historic season after winning her first WTA title at the DC Open last August.

Eala is expected to return to action at the Wuhan Open, a WTA 1000 event scheduled to begin October 12.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News