Manila: Alex Eala assured herself of at least another medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, defeating Malaysia's Shihomi Leong in their quarterfinal match, 6-3, 6-1, at the National Tennis Development Center. Eala experienced her first real action after missing out on matches during the team event.

According to Philippines News Agency, the 20-year-old wasted no time against her opponent, showcasing a swift 6-1 victory in the second set. Despite being challenged in the opening set, where she trailed Leong at 1-3, Eala managed to win five consecutive games, gaining momentum and taking control of the match. After her victory, she expressed gratitude towards the fans who gathered to watch the WTA No. 53 in action at the biennial event.

Eala is set to face home favorite Thasasporn Naklo in the semifinals, aiming to surpass her bronze-medal finish from the 2022 SEA Games in Vietnam. She has already secured one bronze medal in the team event at this year's SEA Games.

Later in the day, Eala will compete in the mixed doubles with Ni±o Alcantara in another quarterfinal match, presenting an opportunity to add to her medal collection, potentially securing at least another bronze with a victory.