NAGOYA, Japan — Alex Eala will shift her focus to the women’s doubles tournament at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Tuesday when she teams up with fellow Filipino Shaira Rivera at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center Show Court.
Eala and Rivera will face Hong Kong’s Kallista Liu and Ching Laam Lai in their opening doubles match.
Although Eala and Rivera will play together for the first time, Eala said their longtime friendship could help them build chemistry on court.
Eala said playing with a friend makes the experience more comfortable and enjoyable.
Eala seeks first Asian Games doubles medal
Eala is pursuing her first Asian Games medal in women’s doubles after earning medals in the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games team events and mixed doubles with Niño Alcantara.
The world No. 18 also remains in contention for the women’s singles gold medal.
Eala said representing the Philippines remains a special experience despite her growing international career.
She won two bronze medals at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Eala opens singles campaign with rout
Rain forced organizers to move Eala’s opening singles match from the center court to an indoor venue Monday.
The Filipino tennis star responded with a dominant 6-1, 6-0 victory over Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej to advance to the quarterfinals.
Eala thanked Filipino and international supporters who waited through the rain to watch her compete.
She will now turn her attention to the doubles tournament with Rivera as she continues her campaign at the Asian Games.
