Claire Liu defeated Alex Eala 6-3, 6-0 in the Hong Kong Open final on Sunday, November 8. The American player secured her first tour-level title, winning both sets without dropping a single game. Eala, the Philippines’ top-ranked tennis star, had reached the final after a challenging semifinal against Maria Sakkari, which was interrupted eight times by rain.
Eala led 2-1 in the first set but lost the next 11 games to fall 6-3. In the second set, she failed to hold serve after a long deuce sequence, allowing Liu to take control. Liu won four consecutive points from 0-3 to seal the victory. The match lasted one hour and 33 minutes.
Eala’s defeat ended her bid for a second WTA title. She had previously won the 2023 Malaysian Open. This loss marks the first time she has been defeated in a final by a player ranked outside the top 100. Liu, ranked 102nd, rose to 69th in the world after the tournament.
Eala’s supporters were disappointed after the match, which was described as a “shocking” loss. Liu’s performance was praised for its consistency and intensity. The result highlights the growing competitiveness of American players in international tennis.
The Hong Kong Open, held at the Hong Kong Tennis Centre, attracted top players from around the world. Liu’s victory adds to her growing reputation on the WTA circuit. Eala will now aim to bounce back in future tournaments.
