How to Watch Alex Eala’s Asian Games Debut: Match Time, TV Channels, and Live Stream Details

After a tough loss at the Singapore Open, Filipina tennis star Alexandra Eala is shifting her focus to the Asian Games in Nagoya. On Monday, September 28, she faces Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej in the women’s singles Round of 16.

Eala enters as the top seed and holds the highest ranking in the women's singles field at No. 18 in the WTA rankings. She skipped the first round, while Cheapchandej advanced by defeating Pakistan’s Mahin Aftab Qureshi 6-1, 6-1 in under an hour on Sunday.

Match Timing and Schedule

The match will take place on Centre Court, but not at a fixed start time. The first matches on that court begin at 9 a.m. Philippine time, starting with Japan's Hayato Matsuoka versus Hong Kong's Kairan Thompson in men’s singles, followed by a women’s doubles match featuring Japan against Nepal. Eala and Cheapchandej will play after those matches finish.

Since the preceding matches could vary in length, fans should check the official Aichi-Nagoya 2026 website for real-time updates on the order of play.

Where to Watch in the Philippines

Filipino viewers can catch Eala’s Asian Games matches live through multiple platforms. Cignal, the official broadcaster in the Philippines, invested roughly Php 1 million (around $16,000) to set up their own cameras and digital gear at Higashiyama Park Tennis Center since tennis was not guaranteed a live feed from the host broadcaster.

Coverage is accessible via One Sports, One Sports+, Cignal Play, and Pilipinas Live. Other viewing options include RPTV and the One Sports YouTube channel.

Head-to-Head History and Rankings

Eala has experience facing her upcoming opponent. She beat Cheapchandej 6-3, 6-4 at the 2022 ITF W25 Chiang Rai tournament in Thailand, eventually winning the event. Since then, their career trajectories have diverged significantly.

• Alex Eala: World No. 18, top seed in Nagoya
• Patcharin Cheapchandej: World No. 510, 31 years old, 13 ITF singles titles, highest ranking No. 356

Eala is eager to bounce back from her recent three-hour, three-set loss in Singapore against Tatiana Prozorova, where she was seeded third but fell 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

More Than Just a Medal

Winning gold at the Asian Games carries added significance beyond the medal itself. According to the International Tennis Federation, champions in men’s and women’s singles at the Asian Games can earn a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if they meet ranking and country quota requirements.

The champion must be ranked inside the world’s Top 500 and come from a nation that hasn't already filled its four-player singles quota through direct qualification. At No. 18, Eala fits comfortably within the ranking threshold.

This edition of the Asian Games offers the first opportunity to claim these Olympic qualifying spots through the ITF system.

Choosing Nagoya Over Beijing

The tennis event in Nagoya overlaps with the mandatory WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing. Eala chose to represent the Philippines in Nagoya, despite the chance of a penalty from the WTA. The Philippine Tennis Association has asked for an exemption on her behalf. If denied, she might face a $10,000 fine and lose ranking points for skipping Beijing.

“You know, the Asian Games happens once every four years,” Eala said earlier this month when explaining her choice. “I just found myself drawn to compete in that over other stuff.”

At the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Eala earned bronze medals in women’s singles and mixed doubles. This time, she’s the No. 1 seed and a strong contender for gold, which could also pave her way to the Los Angeles Olympics.

Her quest starts Monday against a familiar rival.