Tennis: Alex Eala falls to Liu, misses out on Hong Kong title
Philippines’ Alexandra Eala reacts to a missed point against Claire Liu of the US during their women’s singles final match in the Hong Kong Tennis Open in Hong Kong on November 8, 2026. Peter Parks, AFPMANILA (UPDATED) — Filipina tennis star Alex Eala fell short of a second title this year after losing to American Claire Liu in the final of the 2026 Hong Kong Tennis Open, Sunday at Victoria Park.
World no. 102 Liu completed a perfect week in Hong Kong, beating Eala 6-3, 6-0 for her first championship in the WTA Tour.
It was a tough conclusion to what has been a tremendous campaign for Eala, who less than 24 hours ago emerged triumphant over world no. 30 Maria Sakkari in a three-set epic in the semifinal.
She could not duplicate the feat against Liu, as the American won the tournament without dropping a single set.
“I want to congratulate Claire on an amazing tournament, a great week and a great match. Very, very well-deserved, congratulations,” Eala said after the final.
Eala started the match brightly, breaking Liu to love in the third game for a 2-1 advantage. The American struck back immediately, breaking back and holding for a 3-2 lead.
The Filipina appeared to regain momentum with a superb love hold to knot the count, but Liu was undeterred. The American also held comfortably, benefiting from an errant forehand by Eala to again surge ahead, 4-3.
Eala would take a medical timeout before her next service game, and re-entered the fray with her right knee and thigh heavily wrapped. She would not win a game the rest of the way, with Liu going from strength to strength.
The first game of the second set summarized the match: Eala and Liu battled for 26 minutes, exchanging clever shots throughout a whopping 11 deuces. But the Filipina squandered seven game points and a fine lob gave Liu a fifth break point. Eala sent a backhand to the net to give Liu a crucial break.
The American was unstoppable from there, as Eala was unable to string together the strong moments that carried her to the final.
Despite the loss in her final tournament of the year, Eala was proud of how her 2026 had unfolded as she will end the season as world no. 15.
“This season has just … it’s changed my life. It’s changed my life for the better,” an emotional Eala said after the match. “I’m really, I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve put in this year and we’re the only ones who truly know what it took to arrive to this point in our journey.
“This is only the beginning,” she added.