.jpg)
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala battles Joanna Garland of Chinese-Taipei in the quarterfinals of women's singles in the 2026 Asian Games, September 30, 2026 at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Nagoya, Japan. POC Media
(UPDATED) Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala dug deep in the first set before cruising in the second frame against Chinese-Taipei's Joanna Garland, 7-5, 6-0, to clinch a semifinals berth in the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on Wednesday at the Center Court of the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center.
The quarterfinal win ensures Eala at least a bronze medal finish in the continental showpiece, and another semifinals Asiad appearance after advancing to the Final Four in the Hangzhou Games in 2023.
Garland gave a scare in the first set, leading 4-3 and 5-4 over Eala, before the top seed responded with a forehand winner to tie at 5-5, and breaking the opponent in the next game for a 6-5 advantage.
READ: Alex Eala brings added experience, maturity in chase for Asiad gold
Eala went on a tear, establishing a 40-0 lead in what eventually turned to be the last game of the set, but Garland's last hurrah included a backhand winner for a 40-30 count.
The Filipina found the closer for a 1-0 set lead, and the huge momentum to quickly turn the tightly-contested match into a bagel in the second, eliminating world No. 143 Garland in the process.
READ: Asiad: Eala, Rivera overcome Hong Kong to enter Round of 16
Eala tipped her hat to her "good friend," saying she has a lot of qualities of a "great tennis player."
"I think she should be proud of reaching the quarterfinals. I think we are good friends, and I think that's what I remember her for the most -- being a good person. She's a great player, obviously, she has really good high quality shots, she has a lot of power, great serve. Many good qualities, and she's a fighter," said Eala, as she spoke of Garland.
The Pinay tennister will now face China's Wang Xiyu in the semis, with a spot in the finale on the line.