Eala makes fast start as weather and transport woes hit Asian Games

NAGOYA, Japan — Philippines tennis trailblazer Alexandra Eala was in ruthless mood at the Asian Games on Monday as rain disrupted some events and Japanese organisers faced renewed accusations of mismanagement. Eala launched her title charge with victory in just 55 minutes against the outclassed world number 517 Patcharin Cheapchandej. Eala, ranked 18 and favorite for gold in Nagoya, thrashed the Thai 6-1, 6-0, after the bad weather delayed the start and forced the match inside onto a smaller court. Top seed Eala will face Taiwan's UK-born eighth seed Joanna Garland in the quarter-finals. Eala, 21, last month became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour title. Taiwan boxer Lin Yu-ting, the Olympic champion who was thrust into a major gender row at Paris 2024, guaranteed herself at least a bronze medal. Lin defeated North Korea's Won Un Gyong in the women's 60kg class in Nagoya to reach the semi-finals, as she chases a second Asian Games gold. The 30-year-old told AFP ahead of the Games that she had considered retiring after the Paris Olympics but wanted to carry on fighting in part to defy those who questioned her eligibility. Lin and Imane Khelif of Algeria were disqualified from the 2023 world championships by...