Alex Eala loses Asian Games semifinal to China’s Wang Xiyu | Tennis
Wang Xiyu Upsets Top Seed Alex Eala in Asian Games Semifinals
HANGZHOU, China (AP) — Alex Eala’s quest for her first gold medal at the Asian Games and a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics came to an end on Thursday, as she was defeated by China’s Wang Xiyu in the semifinals of the women’s singles tennis tournament.
Wang, ranked 85th in the world, rallied to win the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, knocking out the 18th-ranked Eala, who had been a favorite among fans. This loss marks Eala’s second bronze medal in singles at the Asian Games and her third overall, including a mixed doubles bronze three years ago.
In choosing to participate in the Asian Games instead of the concurrent China Open, Eala potentially faces penalties from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for skipping a mandatory event in Beijing. Despite the stakes, the 21-year-old expressed no regrets about her decision.
“I’m really happy to have experienced this, to experience the support… and to be with the team, and to compete for the country,” Eala said following the match.
Eala began the contest strongly, but her performance declined in the second set, leading to a 4-1 deficit in the final set. Wang maintained her composure under pressure, saving break points and ultimately serving out the match at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center.
“[Wang] was more consistent. I had a couple of ups and downs during the match which is something I have to talk to my team about and process,” Eala noted.
Wang will now face fellow Chinese player Zhang Shuai in the final. Zhang, 37, advanced by defeating Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva 6-4, 6-2. A seasoned competitor, Zhang boasts a silver medal from the 2018 singles event and a team gold from the 2010 Games in Guangzhou.
Despite facing the possibility of competing in her 40s at the next Asian Games in Doha in 2030, Zhang remains optimistic about her future in the sport. “I always feel like this may be my last Games. But look, aren’t I here again? As long as you don’t give up on yourself, no one else in this world can give you that death sentence,” she said.
