NONTHABURI — Top seed Alex Eala secured her spot in the SEA Games women’s singles final, defeating Thailand’s Thasaporn Naklo with a 6-1, 6-4 victory in the semifinals on Tuesday afternoon at the National Tennis Development Centre.
Eala started strong with a dominant first set. However, Naklo mounted a tremendous fightback in the second set, immediately breaking Eala to take a 2-0 lead. Naklo effectively used her service game, making it challenging for Eala to regain momentum.
The second set became a nip-and-tuck battle, but the presence of a sizable Filipino crowd energized Eala. She eventually gained a crucial break to go up 5-3. Though Naklo managed to win the following game, Eala held her nerve and her serve in the 10th game to close out the match.
With the win, Eala earned the chance to compete for her first SEA Games gold medal and is guaranteed at least a silver medal.
Ranked No. 52 in the world, Eala faces another home bet in Manachaya Sawangkaew in the finals on Thursday, with a chance to win the country’s first gold in women’s singles since Maricris Fernandez-Gentz did it back 26 years ago in 1999 — before Eala was even born.
Sawangkaew won via walkover in the other semis pairing after Indonesian Janice Tjen retired due to breathing issues.
It can be recalled that Tjen eliminated Eala, 6-4, 6-1, in the quarterfinals of the Sao Paolo Open last September.
After the match, women’s team head coach Denise Dy spoke highly of the 20-year-old’s efforts.
“I think her opponent is a very experienced player. I think Alex definitely handled the center court very well. She had some resistance, especially in the second set.” said Dy, a two-time SEA Games gold medalist.
“I thought the Thai player, Naklo, did a very good job battling and trying to compete back. I think that’s also what makes Alex great. She was able to not only respond very well, but close it out, which I think was very important for her.”
Before Eala vies for gold in the women’s singles, she targets one more final when she and mixed doubles partner Niño Alcantara fight in the mixed doubles semis on Wednesday, December 17.
