Alex Eala and Marian Capadocia inspire Pilipinas to win over rising stars Jo-leen Saw and Elysia Wan, as Team Event makes a return to sport of Tennis at SEA Games after 7 years
Marian Capadocia of the Philippines in action at Hanaka Paris Ocean Park in the Women's Tennis team event at the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
Tu Son, Vietnam, 13 May 2022 - Women's tennis tournament favourite Alex Eala and Marian Capadocia of the Philippines proved too strong for Malaysian rising stars Jo-leen Saw and Elysia Wan, both making their SEA Games debuts as the Pilipinas cruised to a 2-0 win on the opening day for tennis.
For the first time in seven years, the Team Event makes a return to the sport of tennis - having last featured at the 28th SEA Games hosted by Singapore in 2015.
The Philippines' Women's tennis team at the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
Malaysian debutants' baptism of fire
In the women's team event Malaysian rising stars Saw Jo-leen and Elysia Wan, both making their SEA Games debuts, were given a baptism of fire against a strong Philippines tennis contingent.
Malaysia's 15 year-old Jo-leen Saw making her SEA Games debut against the Philippines. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
Despite putting on a strong display, 15 year-old Saw went down 0-2 to Capadocia (5-7, 4-6), and while her teammate Wan displayed great resilience to take the lead at 4-2 in the second set against tournament favourite Alex Eala after losing 1-6 in the opening set, she could not prevent a 4-6 reverse in the second set to lose 0-2 overall.
Elysia Wan did well to fight back and take the lead in the second set, but eventually fell to Alex Eala in the women's team event at the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
Koay inspires Malaysians to Opening Win in Men's Event
In the men's team event, Malaysia's Koay Hao Sheng proved too strong for Sanneang Long in the first singles, winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 to set the foundations for a Malaysian victory.
Malaysia's tennis athlete Koay Hao Sheng in action at the 31st SEA Games. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG
The Malaysians were pegged back however after Imran Daniel Abd Hazli lost 4-6, 2-6 in the second singles before Koay teamed up with Agil in the doubles match to win 6-4, 6-3 and seal an overall 2-1 win for Malaysia in the opening round of the men's team event.