In the long history of the women’s ASB Classic, there haven’t been too many better matches than this.
This contest had everything - and then some more. And it was played amidst the backdrop of a cacophony of noise around Stanley Street, creating an atmosphere rarely seen for a semi-final.
At the end, after three hours of drama, Chinese seventh seed Xinyu Wang achieved a memorable victory, prevailing 57 75 64 over Filipino third seed Alexandra Eala to move into Sunday’s final. It was a contest that both players will remember for a long time.
Wang saved a match point in the second set, before turning things round, while Eala retrieved unlikely deficits in each set, much to the excitement of the hordes of Filipinos gathered at every viewing point outside centre court. They were ultimately disappointed – but Wang’s effort couldn’t be denied – as she moved into only the second WTA final of her career.
“That was a crazy battle from the start to the end,” said Wang. “Alex is such a fighter and I feel the pressure even when it’s [5-1] up. She just relaxed and she started to play amazing tennis, both 1st set and 3rd set and put me in such great pressure all the time.”
Wang seemed still in mild disbelief, having arrived in Auckland with little or no expectations.
“It’s amazing,” she admitted. “I mean, coming to this week, I never thought about making the final. I was just like, okay, let’s enjoy this first match, it’s first week of the year and I’ve been having such tough battles.”
She did it the hard way again on Saturday, staring at elimination when Eala served for the match at 5-3, 40-30 in the second set. The Filipino youngster was on the charge – after the rally of the tournament two points earlier - when she managed a couple of improbable retrievals, before flashing an instinctive volley past her startled opponent, bringing the entire stadium were on their feet. But Eala couldn’t convert her match point, sending an aggressive forehand long as she went for the winner.
“To be honest, there were so many shots when she hits it, I was just like, okay, if it goes in, I can just clap, you know,” said Wang. “I want to give myself credit too for trying to get every ball, try to give her one more shot to play.”
Eala had enjoyed amazing support all week and it was apparent again on Saturday. There weren’t many centre court tickets available but the Filipino nation made do with ground passes, gathering in front of screens around different parts of the complex. They were shocked early, as Eala was broken twice to trail 5-1 in the first set. It was seemingly gone, before an almighty turnaround, as the 20-year-old reeled off six straight games with some remarkable tennis, flashing winners from every corner of the court.
“She started playing unbelievable,” said Wang. “So there was nothing much I could do from my side other than just clap for her good shots. When we started the second set I just told myself, it’s a fresh start.”
Wang again had the early break for a handy 3-1 lead in the second bracket but Eala’s fearless approach continued, prepared to go for her shots to save break points and getting the dividend. It was unfolding into a fairytale for Eala – looking to reach her first WTA decider – before she got a bit loose towards the end of the set, while Wang started to find her serving range, then converted her second set point.
The third set was a replica of the first. Eala was broken twice to fall 0-3 behind, then had a medical timeout to assess an abdominal issue. Wang then progressed to a 5-1 advantage and it seemed all over. But there was another twist, as Eala found something to bring it back to 5-4, with a break and two gutsy holds. Her huge fanbase dared to dream – while the Chinese support got noticeably louder - sensing Wang needed them. At 5-4, 30-30 the match was on a knife edge but Wang hung tough and Eala couldn’t summon the energy for another miracle, as her groundstroke drifted long on match point.
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.