Eala slump continues with Wuhan exit

Manila Times - Oct 13, 2026

IT may be the case of fatigue kicking in, the law of averages catching up, a slump getting in the way, or a combination of the three. Whatever the reason, Filipino tennis ace Alexandra “Alex” Eala found herself on the wrong end of an upset loss for the third straight time. World No. 19 Eala fell to Chinese qualifier and No. 217 Shi Han, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, to make a first-round exit at the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open in China Monday night, Oct. 12. Eala held off Shi in the first set and even took a 3-2 lead in the second. Shi went on a rampage from there, winning seven straight games to take control for the rest of the way and handing Eala her worst loss of the season. The defeat is the latest in Eala’s shock losses to lower-ranked players. Eala first fell to world No. 180 Tatiana Prozorova at the Singapore Open round of 16, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, on Sept. 24. A week later at the 20th Asian Games in Japan, where she’s favored to win the gold medal, Eala settled for bronze after yielding to world No. 85 Wang Xiyu in the semifinals, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, on Oct. 1. The string of upset losses...

Read full article

MORE NEWS

National football federation urges halt to personal attacks on players
Oct 13, 2026

National football federation urges halt to personal attacks on players

The national football federation on Tuesday called on people to refrain from hurling insults and personal attacks on players, saying such behavior does not help the sport. In a statement, the Korea Football Association (KFA) noted the recent spread of "unverified information and speculative assertions" on social media and online communities regarding members of the men's national team. The Taegeuk Warriors have come under siege in recent days over rumors of in-house feuding. Following a friendly match against Uzbekistan last Tuesday, three players born in 1996, Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang In-beom and Kim Min-jae, reportedly told their teammates that they would retire from international play, citing their frustration with the leadership group that includes longtime captain Son Heung-min and his fellow 34-year-old Lee Jae-sung. Online football fan sites and YouTube channels have been rampant with rumors on who started what within the national team — some backing Son as captain, and others calling for him to step aside and cede captaincy to a younger player. The KFA said while it respects diffe

Cha Jun-hwan steps away from national team, eyes entertainment career
Oct 13, 2026

Cha Jun-hwan steps away from national team, eyes entertainment career

Korean figure skating star Cha Jun-hwan, 25, is stepping away from competitive ice this season, with signs pointing to a new chapter in the entertainment industry. Cha said on social media Monday that he had decided not to continue competing or serving on the national team this season after careful consideration. "After much deliberation, I have decided not to continue my national team activities or compete in events this season," Cha said. He also said his contract with the Seoul Metropolitan Government had come to an end following extensive discussions with the city. "I sincerely thank the Seoul Metropolitan Government and everyone at Seoul City Hall for believing in me and giving me their unwavering support," he said. Cha left the door open regarding his plans for the future, saying he intends to focus on his current commitments while considering what direction to take next. "I will do my best with the opportunities currently given to me while carefully thinking about what path I want to pursue going forward," he said. Cha has been a central figure in elevating South Korean men's figure

KBO's Hanwha Eagles name ex-nat'l team skipper Ryu Ji-hyun as new manager
Oct 13, 2026

KBO's Hanwha Eagles name ex-nat'l team skipper Ryu Ji-hyun as new manager

The Hanwha Eagles on Tuesday named former national team boss Ryu Ji-hyun as their new manager. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club gave Ryu, 55, a three-year contract worth 2 billion won ($1.48 million), saying he was the right person to develop the Eagles into a "sustainable contender." This year, Ryu led Korea to the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic in March and then to the gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September — the country's fifth consecutive Asiad title. Ryu's previous KBO managerial stint came with the LG Twins from 2021 to 2022. On his watch, the Twins went 159-113-16 (wins-losses-ties) in the regular season, the best record in the KBO over those two years. However, they failed to mount a deep postseason run, getting knocked out of the first round in 2021 and then the second round in 2022. The Eagles decided over the weekend not to bring back manager Kim Kyung-moon after his three-year deal expired. They went to the Korean Series last year, their first trip to the championship series since 2006, but lost to the Twins in five games. This year, h

Hanwha Eagles re-sign Taiwanese pitcher Wang Yan-Cheng
Oct 13, 2026

Hanwha Eagles re-sign Taiwanese pitcher Wang Yan-Cheng

The Hanwha Eagles announced Tuesday they have re-signed their Taiwanese pitcher Wang Yan-Cheng for next year. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club said Wang has agreed to a new one-year deal worth $200,000 and that the left-hander also received a $100,000 signing bonus. Wang was the Eagles' Asian quota player this year and served as a pillar in a rotation decimated by injuries and subpar performances, all the while making $100,000. The 25-year-old went 11-6 with a 3.97 ERA in 133 2/3 innings while striking out 100. He was the only Hanwha pitcher to win more than 10 games. Wang finished second on the team in innings and strikeouts, both behind former major league pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin. "I am happy to be back with the Hanwha Eagles for next season. I would like to thank the club for trusting in my potential and giving me another opportunity," Wang said. "I will try to address my shortcomings and keep getting better and better." The Eagles reached the Korean Series last year but finished ninth in the 10-team league this year. They also ranked near the bottom in major pitching categories

Formula 1 announces return to Africa with Grand Prix in Rwanda in early 2030s
Oct 13, 2026

Formula 1 announces return to Africa with Grand Prix in Rwanda in early 2030s

KIGALI, Rwanda — Rwanda will host a Formula 1 race from “the early 2030s” when the series returns to Africa after about 40 years. The African Grand Prix will have a 10-year contract and take place at a track in Bugesera, southeast of the capital Kigali, F1 said on Tuesday. The purpose-built track will be ready “early in the next decade.” “This partnership is long overdue,” Rwandan President Paul Kagame said at a launch event in Kigali. “But it is a success and a milestone for the entire continent, especially for the African fans. Ultimately, what we want is for the African Grand Prix to pave the way for other races to be hosted on the continent.” Racing in Africa will fulfil a long-held ambition for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the only Black driver in F1. The 41-year-old British driver has said he has been “fighting in the background” for years to have a race in Africa. The last time F1 raced in Africa was the South African Grand Prix in 1993. “Today is a landmark moment for Formula 1," F1 President and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said. "With R

Atlanta Dream scramble for a WNBA Finals home
Oct 13, 2026

Atlanta Dream scramble for a WNBA Finals home

The Atlanta Dream will be hosting two games of the WNBA Finals next week, but it’s still not known where those contests will be played. The Dream, who face the Golden State Valkyries in the best-of-seven series that begins Saturday, will host Games 3 and 4 on Oct. 22 and 24. Atlanta would love to

NCAA: Arellano deals San Beda one-point heartbreak, snaps three-game skid
Oct 13, 2026

NCAA: Arellano deals San Beda one-point heartbreak, snaps three-game skid

Arellano University denied San Beda University a comeback story, pulling off a 56-55 stunner to halt its three-game skid in the NCAA Season 102 on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

PBA: Joshua Munzon ‘happy’ after signing deal to stay with Titan Ultra
Oct 13, 2026

PBA: Joshua Munzon ‘happy’ after signing deal to stay with Titan Ultra

MANILA, Philippines–It appears that all’s well that ends well between Joshua Munzon and Titan Ultra. Munzon bared that he agreed to sign a three-year contract to remain with the Giant Risers after being the subject of trade rumors. And Munzon is pleased that the two sides were able to reach a deal. READ: PBA: Joshua

PBA: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson set for TNT return vs Macau
Oct 13, 2026

PBA: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson set for TNT return vs Macau

MANILA, Philippines–Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will make his much-awaited return on Tuesday when TNT takes on hapless Macau in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Tropang 5G activated the three-time Best Import on the eve of the 5:15 p.m. contest after a lengthy recovery from an Achilles injury sustained last year. “With RHJ back

NBA: Erik Spoelstra sees possibilities of what new-look Heat can be
Oct 13, 2026

NBA: Erik Spoelstra sees possibilities of what new-look Heat can be

MIAMI — Klay Thompson didn’t sleep particularly well before his first training camp practice with the Miami Heat. It wasn’t nerves, wasn’t a bad hotel room, wasn’t anything like that. The problem was Erik Spoelstra. And it was a good problem to have. READ: Klay Thompson still has plenty of motivation in first Heat season

Alex Eala, Zeynep Sonmez fall to Ukrainian pair to bow out Wuhan Open doubles
Oct 13, 2026

Alex Eala, Zeynep Sonmez fall to Ukrainian pair to bow out Wuhan Open doubles

Good friends Alex Eala and Zeynep Sonmez saw their on-court partnership fall short, losing to Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina and Dayana Yastremska, 6-2, 6-3, in the Wuhan Open doubles Round of 32 on Tuesday.

LIVE UPDATES: Alex Eala and Zeynep Sonmez vs. Anhelina Kalinina and Dayana Yastremska in the Wuhan Open women's doubles Round of 32
Oct 13, 2026

LIVE UPDATES: Alex Eala and Zeynep Sonmez vs. Anhelina Kalinina and Dayana Yastremska in the Wuhan Open women's doubles Round of 32

Alexandra "Alex" Eala and Zeynep Sonmez, who share a close friendship off the court, will look to bring that chemistry to the doubles court as they link up for the WTA1000 Wuhan Open in China.

RECOMMENDED