Alexandra Eala’s dreams of winning the Hong Kong Open were left in tatters following defeat to Claire Liu on Sunday.
The Filipina star had advanced to the final round in Hong Kong after beating Emerson Jones, Tereza Valentova, Antonia Ruzic and former world number three Maria Sakkari.
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Eala and Liu looked set to contest a closely fought encounter in Sunday’s final when the score was tied at 3-3 in the first set.
Liu quickly snatched control of the match, winning seven consecutive games en route to victory at the Victoria Park Centre Court in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
Tearful Alex Eala reacts after losing the Hong Kong Open final
Eala, as has become custom, was very polite in the face of defeat.
“First and foremost I want to congratulate Claire on an amazing tournament. A great week and a great match, it was very well deserved. Congratulations,” Eala said during her runner-up speech.
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“I would like to thank the tournament staff and organisers for the amazing hospitality and the physios for keeping me together. And, of course, the fans. Thank you!
“Wrapping up this year, you guys don’t know how much meaning you add on top of what I do and how much of a pleasure it is to go about my life sharing these moments with you all, so I am forever grateful.”
Eala then started crying when discussing the contributions made by her team and family throughout the 2026 season.
“Of course, last but not least, my team and my parents. My brother, my coach, and my two other coaches – this season has changed my life,” a tearful Eala noted.
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“It has changed my life for the better, I am incredibly proud of the work we have put in this year. We are the only ones who truly knew what it took to arrive at this point in our journey.”
“Thank you so, so much. This is only the beginning and this one like all of them, is ours, so congratulations.”
The serve proved to be Eala’s undoing in Sunday’s final, as she landed only 47 per cent of her first serves during the match.
Eala also won 58 per cent of her first-serve points and only 40 per cent of her second-serve points.
However, one must now analyse Eala’s campaign in its entirety – the Filipina enjoyed an incredible 2026 campaign, winning her first WTA Tour event in Washington and securing her place among the Tour’s elite players.
|
Player |
Ranking |
Ranking points |
|
Maja Chwalinska |
12 |
3016 |
|
Iva Jovic |
13 |
2941 |
|
Elise Mertens |
14 |
2540 |
|
Alexandra Eala |
15 |
2392 |
|
Sorana Cirstea |
16 |
2386 |
|
Naomi Osaka |
17 |
2315 |
Live WTA rankings [November 8, 2026]
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Moreover, despite losing Sunday’s final, Eala is set to achieve a career-high ranking of world number 15.
This ranking will be crucial heading into the 2027 season, as Eala is now almost guaranteed to be a top 16 seed at the 2027 Australian Open.
Being a top 16 seed means thatn Eala will be guaranteed not to face another player seeded 16th or above until the fourth round.
Claire Liu reacts to her Hong Kong triumph
“I was thinking just keep it close. Every game in that second set we both had game points or break points and I was just lucky enough to get the deciding point,” Liu told a WTA spokesperson courtside following her triumph.
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“I was thinking just keep it close and maybe get the last point and I did. I am super happy.
“I mean it’s been four years since my last final so I am really happy to get this one. It’s just been such a great week, I’m speechless. The crowd was amazing and I really appreciate everyone for coming.
“I am going to go home and lay in bed for a week and not move and then I will have to train again,” the American added. “But I am looking forward to coming back next year and I am super happy.”
During her winner’s speech, Liu also said: “First of all I want to say congratulations to Alex, I was tearing up in your speech!
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“I can think of no better person to lead the charge for women’s tennis. I feel like you are such an inspiration, you have had such an amazing year and I am so excited for what you do next year. Also congratulations to your team.”
Liu is set to rise 33 places to world number 69 after defeating Alex Eala in the Hong Kong Open final.
Liu’s career-high ranking on the WTA Tour is 52.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
