Alex Eala loses Asian Games semifinal to China’s Wang Xiyu

Alex Eala’s hopes of a maiden Asian Games gold medal and qualification for ⁠⁠the 2028 Los ⁠⁠Angeles Olympics tennis tournament have been crushed by China’s unheralded Wang Xiyu in the semifinals. World number 85 Xiyu rallied to a 3-6 6-3 6-2 win over the Filipino top ⁠⁠seed at the Games on Thursday. Eala, the Southeast Asian nation’s first WTA title winner and a fan favourite on tour, was consigned to her second singles bronze medal and third in total, having ⁠⁠also taken the mixed doubles bronze at Hangzhou three years ago.