Metro Manila, Philippines – Filipino tennis star Alex Eala clinched her first-ever Southeast Asian Games gold medal after a dominant 6-1, 6-2 win over hometown bet Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the women’s singles final on Thursday, Dec. 18, in Thailand.
The 20-year-old was off to a hot start as she established a 3-0 advantage in the first set.
It was a more competitive contest in the second set as the two protagonists traded service breaks in the first four games to be tied at 2-all.
Eala found her rhythm the rest of the way as she secured the title in convincing fashion.
With the win, Eala ended the country’s 26-year gold medal drought in SEA Games women’s singles tennis with Maricris Fernandez taking home the crown in the Brunei edition in 1999.
Eala also bagged a pair of bronze medals in the mixed doubles and women’s team event. She previously secured three bronze medals in the 2021 SEA Games.
The Philippines now has 39 gold medals in the ongoing biennial event.
