Alex Eala Settles for Bronze After Asian Games Semifinal Loss

Filipino tennis star Alex Eala secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games after losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to China’s Wang Xiyu in the semifinals on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Nagoya, Japan.

Entering the Asian Games as the tournament’s top seed and the highest-ranked player in the field at world No. 18, Eala raced to an early 5-0 lead in the opening set before holding off a comeback from the 85th-ranked Chinese opponent. Wang fought back to narrow the gap before Eala secured the first set on her fourth opportunity. Wang capitalized on service breaks to seal the victory in 2 hours and 34 minutes.

Alex Eala runs into Chinese wall anew, settles for Asian Games bronze

Alex Eala Falls to Wang Xiyu in Nagoya Semifinals

The loss repeated Eala’s result from the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where she also collected a bronze medal after falling in the semifinals to eventual champion Zheng Qinwen. During the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, she secured bronze medals in women’s singles and mixed doubles alongside Francis Casey Alcantara. In the previous round at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Nagoya, the 21-year-old left-hander defeated Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland 7-5, 6-0 to book her spot in the final four and guarantee at least a third-place finish. Eala pointed to physical growth and maturity despite the disappointment of letting a first-set advantage slip away.

I think physically I’m better, more mature, more experienced, of course,

Alex Eala, Filipino tennis star

Eala stated that she had no regrets after settling for the third-place finish at Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Japan. She added that she gave her all, prepped the best she could prep, and fought the best she could fight, expressing happiness that she was able to have the experience. Eala also described the loss to the 85th-ranked Wang as a learning moment and a great experience with lessons to process, noting that momentum shifted and her opponent played really well. The result also prevented Eala from becoming the first Filipino tennis champion in the Asian Games since Johnny Jose’s victory in the men’s singles in 1962.

Asian Games: Alex Eala settles for bronze after falling to Chinese foe | ANC

I feel like I have no regrets,

Alex Eala, Filipino tennis star

Eala Skips China Open to Pursue Olympic Qualification

The singles tennis competition at the Asian Games carried direct Olympic qualification implications, with gold medalists earning a quota place for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics provided they remain inside the top 500 at the cutoff date. Eala had explicitly outlined her ambition to reach the Olympics during her run in Nagoya.

The Olympics is a dream for me to be able to compete there, to represent my country.

Alex Eala, Filipino tennis star

To compete in the multi-sport continental event, Eala withdrew from the China Open in Beijing—a mandatory WTA 1000 tournament—which exposed her to a potential $10,000 fine for skipping the tour-level obligation. Former Grand Slam winner Greg Rusedski defended the scheduling choice on a podcast, urging the WTA to show common sense regarding exemption rules for athletes representing their nations in major regional games.

Alex Eala Settles for Bronze After Asian Games Semifinal Loss — Photo: ESPN

Eala Schedules Immediate Return at the Wuhan Open

Following her exit from the singles tournament and a doubles defeat alongside compatriot Shaira Rivera—who fell 5-7, 2-6 to China’s Jiang Xinyu and Yang Zhaoxuan—Eala turned her focus back to the professional circuit. She confirmed an immediate return to competition at the Wuhan Open, a second consecutive WTA 1000 tournament starting in China on October 12, 2026.