Alex Eala dominates Thai foe in Asian Games opener

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Alex Eala opened her 20th Asian Games campaign with a lopsided 6-1, 6-0 win over Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej on Sept. 28, 2026, at Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Nagoya, Japan.

Cheapchandej stood no chance as Eala went on a rampage from the get-go, scoring three consecutive breaks to build a comfortable 5-1 first-set lead.

Although the Thai netter managed to break back in the fourth game, Eala roared back and capped the first set to draw first blood, 1-0.

Eala’s consistent groundstrokes and raw power were more than enough to put pressure on Cheapchandej, as the Thai could not approach the net with ease because of the Filipina’s aggressive and heavy shots.

Cheapchandej, an experienced doubles player, never had the chance to take control at the net and was forced to defend from the baseline because of Eala’s relentless offensive production.

To make things worse, her signature slice drop shots also abandoned her midway through the match after Eala targeted the no-man’s land to sustain the pressure.

Despite minimal adjustments by Cheapchandej at the start of the second set, particularly in the angles of her backhand return, Eala still had another walk in the park and was unfazed by whatever tactical tweaks the Thai deployed out of desperation.

Just like her first-set masterclass, Eala kicked off the ensuing frame with three straight breaks, en route to another demoralizing 5-0 advantage.

Eala held serve during the final game, capping the Round of 16 win with a down-the-line forehand winner followed by a service ace.

With the one-sided win, the Filipina tennis ace advanced to the quarterfinals, where she will face either Iran’s Mandegar Farzami or Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland.