Philippines Alexandra Eala hits a return against Russia's Tatiana Prozorova during the WTA Singapore Open Tennis round 16 in Singapore on September 24, 2026. (Photo by Roslan Rahman / AFP)
Nagoya, Japan: Philippine trailblazer Alexandra Eala made a ruthless start to her Asian Games title charge with victory in just 55 minutes on Monday.
The world number 18 and favourite for women's singles gold in Nagoya thrashed Thailand's Patcharin Cheapchandej 6-1, 6-0.
It was a mismatch, with Patcharin ranked 517th in the world, and top seed Eala will face Taiwan's UK-born eighth seed Joanna Garland in the quarter-finals.
‘IT’S GREAT TO REPRESENT THE PHILIPPINES IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAT I NORMALLY DO’ ????????????
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) September 28, 2026
Alex Eala talks about the pride of representing the Philippines at the 20th Asian Games and reflects on her winning start after sweeping Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej, 6-1, 6-0, in an indoor… pic.twitter.com/zxVzCN0FLP
Eala, 21, last month became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour title.
She has become wildly popular in the Philippines, her every match followed by large numbers of cheering fans.
Eala is skipping the prestigious China Open in Beijing to represent her country at the Asian Games.
