Alex Eala says fight ‘comes from within’

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala needed almost three hours to beat fourth seed Maria Sakkari in the semifinals of the Hong Kong Tennis Open on Saturday. 

Eala won the first set 7-5, Sakkari took the 2nd, and Eala claimed the final set 6-4.

After the match, Eala spoke about the tough battle against the world No. 30.

“I think there were a lot of momentum shifts. I think I was trying to solve problems constantly,” she said. 

“So that reflected in the run of the score. So I’m pretty happy with it,” she added.

Eala looked back at her 4-1 lead in the final set, where Sakkari fought back to tie 4-4, before Eala eventually won 6-4.

“She (Sakkari) had played really well those couple of games. And I was just constantly trying to find solutions. And that didn’t stop at 4-1,” she said. 

Eala closed out the match to book her second final of the season. 

“It just didn’t feel kind of real. You know, because I was fighting for so long,” she said.

Play was stopped more than a dozen times by rain, but Eala stayed calm.

“I think just to keep warm and focusing on the next couple of points. What I needed to do. Anyway, wala akong namang magagawa so, you know, I tried to be very positive,” she said. 

“The rain delays today were very interesting because it would come back very quickly. So we played like only a few points and then rain again. But it’s not something unheard of on tour. So I think, especially at this level, we have a certain amount of experience with that,” she said.

Eala had nothing but gratitude for the Filipino support she has received.

“Every day or every match, rather, they help me. And they make just the whole experience of being on tour very fun. And I hope, you know, the feeling is reciprocated,” she said. 

Eala once again impressed the tennis world with her determination and will to win.

“Definitely most of my fight comes from within. And I think that’s something a lot of tennis players have.” 

Eala will face world no. 102 Claire Liu of the United States in the final. 

Liu won the Wimbledon girls’ singles title in 2017. She also defeated Eala in Guangzhou in 2025, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. 

“Another opportunity for me. I think I’ve grown a lot in the past year,” Eala said.

“For sure, I’m definitely very motivated. Of course, how do I want the final to go? I want to win. But I’ve done everything I could up to this point. And I’ll do my best that I can tomorrow and give everything I have. I will be a very happy girl.” 

Should Eala win the title Sunday, it will be her second WTA crown after her DC Open title.