By REY C. LACHICA
HANGZHOU, China – Alex Eala’s amazing run came to an end Thursday, Sept. 28, but not after giving No. 1 seed and US Open quarterfinalist Zheng Qinwen of China a huge scare in their tense semis duel at the city’s Olympic Tennis Centre.
Quite tall at 5-foot-8 but is several inches shorter than the Chinese ace, Eala dropped the opening set easily, fought back like a wounded tiger in the second but lost steam in the critical stage of the third frame for a 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 3-6 defeat to Qinwen.
Despite a tearful end to what seemed to be a promising start to her gold medal bid, Eala will still go home with a bronze medal.
But another win in the mixed doubles with first-time partner Francis Alcantara – both rookies in the continental showpiece – later in the day will make Eala the first double medalist among the PH bets.
For a while, Eala, 18, appeared headed to scoring a huge upset over her 21-year-old rval after taking a 3-1 lead in the deciding third set in a game she capped with a sizzling return.
But to the horror of her supporters, Eala’s magic suddenly disappeared, limited to just four points the rest of they way.
But while Eala was looking tired and weary – no thanks to a tiring 3-set win in the doubles Wednesday against the top-seeded pair of Yuki Bhambri and Ankita Ravinderkrishan Raina of India – the Chinese bet was gaining momentum like a typhoon that saw her unleash wicked forehand winners to start her own comeback.
In the 8th game, Eala was held scoreless and that proved the end of her as Qinwen took an 5-3 advantage.
