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Wang Xiyu defeats fellow Chinese player Zhang Shuai for tennis gold at the Asian Games
Wang won in 66 minutes and earned an automatic berth for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
On Friday, 25-year-old Wang Xiyu defeated compatriot Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-1 at Nagoya's Higashiyama Park Tennis Center, winning Asian Games women's singles gold and securing an automatic 2028 Los Angeles Olympics berth.
Wang reached the final after defeating tournament favorite Alex Eala of the Philippines on Thursday in a grueling match, overcoming a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 deficit after two hours and 34 minutes of play.
Acknowledging her opponent as a mentor, 25-year-old Wang paid tribute to 37-year-old Zhang, a multi-time Grand Slam doubles champion, saying, "She is someone I really respect."
Reflecting on her journey, Wang shared, "It's when you experience success through the trials that you know what it was all for," while joking her tennis skills far exceed her culinary efforts.
This gold medal marks Wang's second Olympic trip, following her third-round exit at the Paris Olympics two years ago when she lost to Iga Swiatek of Poland.