Alex Eala did not enjoy the finish to the Hong Kong Open that she had dreamt of, losing the final to Claire Liu.
Liu defeated Eala 6-3, 6-0 after one hour and 33 minutes in a rather one-sided final, although the Filipina superstar was struggling with injury. She required a medical timeout during the encounter, which she played with heavy strapping on her right knee.
Eala and her fans will still be disappointed at the result, but reaching the Hong Kong Open final was simply another very exciting step in her extremely promising career. Despite the defeat, it’s clear that she needs to hold her head high as she closes down her 2026 season.
Will Alex Eala win a Grand Slam in 2027?
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Alex Eala must hold her head high despite Hong Kong final loss
Eala has been among the busiest WTA players in 2026, which is a testament to her commitment to the calendar and indeed her impressive runs at various tournaments. She will end the campaign with a 47/26 win/loss record, which deserves huge praise in what is her first full season on the WTA Tour.
Most significantly, the Filipina sensation claimed her maiden WTA title in 2026, going all the way in Washington in the summer. And it’s certainly worth remembering the path she took to the trophy, having knocked out high-profile players every step of the way. She beat Qinwen Zheng early on, before overcoming seeded quartet Leylah Fernandez, Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka and Jessica Pegula.
Moreover, Eala has stormed the WTA rankings, and is currently in her career-high rank of 17th. It’s been a remarkable rise from the youngster, who has rapidly become one of the names that the top players are keen to avoid when it comes to tournament draws.
| Top rank by year | Year-end ranking | |
| 17 | 2026 | – |
| 50 | 2025 | 50 |
| 143 | 2024 | 158 |
| 189 | 2023 | 205 |
| 214 | 2022 | 219 |
| 505 | 2021 | 529 |
| 1180 | 2020 | – |
Of course, Eala’s huge fanbase is worth noting amid her rise. And it arguably serves as a blessing and a curse, with the 21-year-old undoubtedly boosted by her supporters, but at the same time under immense pressure as the flag-bearer for the Philippines in world tennis.
Eala even clinched success for her nation in 2026, claiming the bronze medal at the Asian Games. There was also a WTA 125 title in Birmingham to celebrate. The top 20 player will now take a well-earned rest to recover physically and mentally for the 2027 season, where she is very likely to continue growing both on and off the court.
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