Eala holds off Sakkari fightback to reach Hong Kong final and the top 15
Alexandra Eala let a 4-1 lead slip in the deciding set but recovered to beat Maria Sakkari 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 and reach the Hong Kong Open final, the third of her career. The run guarantees the 21-year-old a top 15 debut. Claire Liu, who won their only previous meeting, awaits.
Alexandra Eala, Hong Kong 2026 | © Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026
Alexandra Eala let a 4-1 lead slip in the deciding set but broke serve on her second match point to beat Maria Sakkari 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in the Hong Kong Open semi-finals on Saturday, after close to three hours and several rain interruptions. Eala will face Claire Liu in the final, after Liu beat qualifier Alexandra Shubladze 7-5, 6-4 in the other semi-final.
Eala, ranked No. 17, was already the first player from the Philippines to reach the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Tennis Open. Her run to the third WTA final of her career guarantees the 21-year-old a top 15 debut, according to the tournament. She won the title in Washington, a WTA 500, this year.
“She really stepped up and brought the courage to come back, and so I tried every point to stay there and step up myself,” Eala said. “It was a lot of patience, but a lot of courage too, to get back. I am really happy that I was able to come out of that a better player.”
The deciding set turned twice before it settled. Eala led 3-0 and 4-1, but Sakkari saved three points for 1-5 and two more for 3-5 before drawing level at 4-4. Eala held for 5-4, with a forehand volley for 30-0, then broke one last time, sealing the match on her second match point when Sakkari’s backhand found the net.
Sakkari’s serve kept her in the contest: she hit 12 aces to Eala’s two and saved 17 of the 22 break points she faced. But she also served six double faults to her opponent’s one, and won only 44% of her second-serve points, against 55% for Eala, who landed 79% of her first serves and broke five times. The steadier server ended up with the decisive breaks.
How Eala beat Sakkari in Hong Kong
It was their first meeting on tour. Eala led 2-0 and 3-1 in the opening set and had four break points for a 4-1 double-break lead. She then served at 4-3 but trailed 4-5, despite two more break points. She broke at 5-5 and served out the set on her second set point, when Sakkari missed a forehand.
Sakkari raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set, won a tight service game at 4-2 and saved two break points at 5-3 before levelling on her second set point. Rain interrupted play several times from the middle of the set.
“The rain delays today were very interesting because it would come back very quickly. So we play only a few points and then rain again, but it’s not something unheard of on tour,” Eala said. “I think focus was really important today. A positive mentality and just doing my best to be intense and have fun.”
“Obviously not great, but it was a tough fight. It was very equal until the very last game. So, disappointing,” Sakkari said. “We just reset now and go again next year. Not where I wanted to end, but I’m very happy that I came here and had a good run.” Sakkari, a former world No. 3, has not reached a final since Indian Wells in 2024.
Eala faces Liu in the final
Eala opened her week by beating Alycia Parks of the United States 6-4, 6-3 in the first round, then got past Tereza Valentova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 7-6 (7) in the last 16. In the quarter-finals, she needed 2 hours 30 minutes to beat Antonia Ruzic of Croatia 7-6 (7), 7-5. “It was a rollercoaster, for sure, and an incredible battle,” Eala said of that win. Liu won their only previous meeting, in Guangzhou in 2025.
“It’s another opportunity for me. I’ve grown a lot in the past year,” Eala said of the final. “I want to win. That would be amazing. I’ve done everything I could up to this point, and if I do the best that I can tomorrow and give everything I have, I will be a very happy girl.”
“I do my best every day to represent the Philippines in the best way that I possibly can,” she added. “I grow prouder with every match that I see people come out to support and show their love for me, so I really want to take every opportunity I can to give back to them.”
Eala’s path to the final
First round: d. Alycia Parks 6-4, 6-3
Second round: d. Tereza Valentova 6-4, 7-6 (7)
Quarter-final: d. Antonia Ruzic 7-6 (7), 7-5
Semi-final: d. Maria Sakkari (4) 7-5, 3-6, 6-4
Sakkari’s path to the semi-finals
First round: d. Carol Young Suh Lee (LL) 6-1, 6-4
Second round: d. Maya Joint 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
Quarter-final: d. Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Q) 6-2, 6-3
Semi-final: lost to Alexandra Eala (2) 7-5, 3-6, 6-4
