FILIPINAS tennis star Alexandra “Alex” Eala was denied her second WTA title on Sunday, falling to world No. 102 Claire Liu in the championship match of the Hong Kong Tennis Open with a 3–6, 3–6 scoreline.
Liu took the first set 6–3, capitalizing after Eala took a medical timeout to have her right knee taped while trailing 3–4. The American seized the momentum, winning the final two games of the set and then carried her form into the second, never relinquishing control as she closed out the match to claim the title. This marked Liu’s second victory over Eala in as many meetings, having also defeated the Filipina at the 2025 Guangzhou Open.
The match was closely contested early on, with Eala rallying from behind to level the opening set at 3‑all. Liu edged ahead once more, prompting Eala’s medical timeout, and the disruption appeared to unsettle the young Filipina, who committed a series of unforced errors thereafter. Liu served aggressively throughout, keeping Eala on the defensive and preventing her from finding the rhythm that had carried her to the final. The victory makes Liu the first American player ever to win the Hong Kong Tennis Open title.
Despite the loss, Eala closed out a standout 2026 season that stands as the most successful of her professional career to date. Her campaign included a maiden WTA 500 championship at the Mubadala Citi DC Open and a second WTA 125 title at the Birmingham Open, alongside achieving new career‑high rankings as she cemented her place among the sport’s rising talents. She will now regroup and turn her attention to the upcoming season, with the experience gained from reaching the final serving as a strong foundation for continued growth.
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