Chinese star Wang Xinyu put a stop to Alex Eala’s winning ways on Saturday, posting a 7-5, 5-7, 4-6 win in their semifinal showdown in the Auckland Open at the Manuka Doctor Arena  in New Zealand.

But the setback didn’t sting that much given that Eala put up a gallant stand against a foe she might run into very soon in the Philippine Women’s Open at the revamped Rizal Memorial Sports Center tennis courts in Manila later this month.

It looked as if the world No. 57 Wang, who won the 2023 French Open doubles alongside Hsieh Su Wei of Chinese Taipei, was going to get rid of Eala with ease as the Filipina pride clawed back from a 1-5 hole in the first set.

Ranked No. 53, Eala was hoping to win her first Women’s Tennis Association crown of the year but after two hours and 47 minutes, Wang wound up securing the right to play in the final against the winner of the other semis pairing featuring Elina Svitolina and fifth seed Iva Jovic, Eala’s doubles partner.

Wang had multiple chances to close out the show but the 20-year-old Eala refused to fold and even extended a decider that Wang finally took care of.

If the stars align, both players could face off anew when the Australian Open gets going this coming weekend.

And should they get knocked out early in the first Grand Slam of the year, Eala and Wang might meet again in Manila, am opportunity Eala is looking forward to.

The 24-year-old Wang swears taking out Eala wasn’t easy as her fancied foe almost had an answer to her tactics and the crowd was obviously not on her side.

“That was a crazy battle from the start to the end. Alex, she is such a fighter. I felt the pressure even when 5-1 up,” said Wang as she got a taste of what to expect in the Philippine Women’s Open.

“When she started playing unbelievably, there was nothing much I could do other than just clap for her good shots.”

Eala leaves New Zealand with a grateful heart as she gave her all in front of the loud Filipino fans in attendance.

The Rafael Nadal Academy alumnus will take home $ 12,331(P 731,178) for making it into the Final Four.

“This is the first time all of us have been in New Zealand, so it’s nice,” said Eala, who defeated Paris Olympics silver medalist Donna Vekic of Croatia, Petra Marcinko, also from Croatia, and Polish world No. 52 Magda Linette on her way to the semifinal round.

“The atmosphere is great. Obviously, a big Filipino community. I like the place, it’s very calm, and very clean,” added Eala, who had a breakout 2025 that included an amazing winning streak in the Miami Open.

Next stop for Eala will be the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne on Tuesday as she joins Vekic, home bet Pricilla Hon and four-time Grand Slam women’s doubles titlist Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia. 

The three-day exhibition tournament will be Eala’s final competition before she makes her main draw debut in the Australian Open.