Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala took a confident step closer to her long-sought Southeast Asian Games breakthrough after advancing to the semifinals of the women’s singles event at the 2025 SEA Games on Monday.

Playing at the National Tennis Development Center in Thailand, the 20-year-old Eala delivered a commanding performance in the quarterfinals, dispatching Malaysia’s Shihomi Leong, 6-3, 6-1, to keep her gold medal bid alive.

Eala, currently ranked world No. 53, showed poise and control throughout the match, quickly asserting her experience against the 18-year-old Leong, who sits at No. 969 in the world rankings.

After earning a bye into the Round of 16, the Filipina star wasted little time in reminding the field why she is among the tournament favorites.

The victory moves Eala within striking distance of what would be her first-ever SEA Games gold medal—a milestone she has been chasing since her debut in the biennial meet three years ago.

Back in the 2022 SEA Games in Vietnam, Eala made an immediate impact, collecting three bronze medals after finishing third in women’s singles, mixed doubles, and the women’s team event. While the podium finishes signaled her arrival on the regional stage, the top spot remained elusive.

Now more seasoned and carrying the weight of a career-high world ranking, Eala is determined to etch her name deeper into SEA Games history.