Taiwanese blocking Eala’s semifinal path

Alex Eala guns for a spot in the semifinals as she battles world No. 143 Joanna Garland of Chinese Taipei in the women’s singles event of the 20th Asian Games on Tuesday at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Nagoya, Japan.

Game time is at 9 a.m. (Manila time) with the world No. 18 Eala looking to secure a semifinal berth and match her best finish in the continental showcase.

The 21-year-old top seed is coming off a swift 6-1, 6-0 demolition of Thailand’s world No. 517 Patcharin Cheapchandej in the Round of 16 Monday, needing just 55 minutes to advance.

Eala, who won a bronze medal in her Asian Games debut in Hangzhou in 2023, said she feels more prepared this time after gaining experience from competing in multiple Grand Slam and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 tournaments.

“So, I think, you know, of course, I’m a little bit more mature now, mentally and physically, of course, better. And I’ve been working hard these past four years. So, yeah, it’s different this time,” said Eala, who is competing with Shaira Rivera against Liu Kallista and Lai Ching Laam of Hong Kong in the Round of 32 of the doubles event at press time.

“Of course, I want the gold. Everyone wants the gold. And I want it.”

A singles gold medal would also earn Eala a continental quota slot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

While the Asiad field is different from the competition she regularly faces on the WTA Tour, Eala is not taking anything for granted as she bids to end the Philippines’ 64-year wait for a tennis singles gold medal.

The Philippines last won an Asiad singles gold in 1962 in Jakarta, when Johnny Jose defeated Atsushi Miyagi of Japan.

“I’m here. I’m here to compete. Like every tournament, I want to win,” Eala said.

Her recent 6-4, 5-7, 3-6 loss to world No. 123 Tatiana Prozorova of Russia in the Singapore Tennis Open Round of 16 also serves as motivation heading into the Asian Games.

Garland, meanwhile, booked her quarterfinal ticket after blanking Mongolia’s Martaa Chogsomjav, 6-0, 6-0.

The 25-year-old Taiwanese netter also gained valuable experience in the Singapore Open, reaching the main draw after beating Ellen Perez of Australia, 6-1, 6-2, and Viktorya Morvayova of Slovakia, 6-4, 6-3.

Garland then defeated world No. 182 Storm Hunter, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, in the Round of 32 before bowing to world No. 38 Wang Xinyu of China, 5-7, 4-6, in the Round of 16.