NONTHABURI — Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala secured at least a bronze medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games with a powerful 6-3, 6-1 victory over Malaysia’s Shihomi Leong in the women’s singles quarterfinal at the National Tennis Development Center here on Monday.
It was Eala’s first real competition after missing the team events.
The 20-year-old WTA No. 52 faced a brief moment of drama in the first set, trailing 1-3, but she quickly turned the tide.
She roared back by winning five straight games, seizing the momentum before delivering a swift 6-1 domination in the second set to seal the match.
After the win, Eala was met with the enthusiastic cheers of scores of fans.
“I’m very happy with the first round, it presented good challenges and I’m happy with how, wala, masaya ako sa crowd, madaming nanood. Maraming salamat sa supporta,” Eala said.
Eala, who already has a bronze from the team event, now prepares for a high-stakes duel in the semifinals against local favorite Thasaporn Naklo, hoping to improve on her bronze from the previous SEA Games.
Her quest for more medals continued later in day in the mixed doubles quarter-final with partner Niño Alcantara.
