Eala faces Malaysian Leong in SEAG singles quarterfinals

WORLD tennis sensation and Team Philippines flag bearer Alexandra “Alex” Eala shifts her focus to her own battle in the highly-anticipated singles tournament after securing a bronze medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) women’s team division. Ms. Ea

la,

the highest ranked tennister at Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) No. 52 in the entire biennial tourney, will face Malaysian Shihomi Li Xuan Leong in the quarterfinals starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, looking to move closer to her first-ever gold medal at the National Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi, Thailand. “So prou

d of our team for showing up and giving their all. All sights

on the individuals,” said Ms. Eala after t

he Philippine team that also featured Stefi Aludo, Alexa Milliam, Tennielle Madis and Shaira Hope Rivera fell short against Thailand in the team semifinals. As the No. 1

seed, the 20-year-old Filipina gained a first-round bye for an automatic Top 8 ticket while Ms. Leong swept

Laos’ Aliya Vongdala, 2-0, in their first-round duel. With all of he

r international feats in the WTA Tour and tennis majors, Ms. Eala looms as

the undisputed title favorite with the 18-year-old Ms. Leong miles be