19th Asian Games: Eala overcomes Japanese foe to secure PH's first bronze in almost two decades
2023-Sep-28 09:25
TERRIFIC COMEBACK. Alex Eala never gave up to turn back a one-set deficit and defeat Japan's Kyoka Okamura in their quarterfinal showdown in the 19th Asian Games. PHOTO: PSC-POC Media Pool
Alex Eala of the Philippines assured herself of a bronze medal in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The Filipina teen sensation overcame an opening set defeat to beat Japan's Kyoka Okamura, 0-6, 7-5, 6-0, and reach the semifinals of the women's tennis singles event on Wednesday, September 27.
Eala's victory snapped the country's near 20-year medal drought in Asiad tennis.
The last time the Southeast Asian side won a medal in the quadrennial meet was in 2006, with Cecil Mamiit's bronze in the men's singles tiff.
Eala is also the first female tennis player from the Philippines to reach the podium since Desideria Ampon and Patricia Yngayo brought home a couple of medals in 1966.
Okamura couldn't sustain her momentum after tying the score at five-all, as Eala successfully leveled the scoreline at one set apiece by winning the next two games.
Turning the tides in her favor, Eala easily breezed past the 11th-seeded Japanese to end the match that lasted two hours and 27 minutes.
Things were completely different from the opening set, as Okamura never let Eala from clinching even a lone game.
Eala will face either tournament top seed and China's Zheng Qinwen or 10th-seeded and South Korea's Park So-hyun in the semifinals scheduled on Thursday, September 28.