Sports · Tennis · 1 hr ago
Claire Liu beats Alexandra Eala to win Hong Kong Open
Claire Liu beat Alexandra Eala 6-3, 6-0 in the Hong Kong Open final on Sunday, winning her first WTA Tour title.
Liu, an unseeded American, overcame the Filipina player, who was seeking her second WTA title.
Eala took a medical timeout for knee pain in the first set, then lost the last three games of that set.
Liu held firm through a tense second-set opener that lasted 11 deuces and included six Eala game points.
The victory is a breakthrough title for Liu, who had not won a WTA Tour event before.
Eala’s season included her first WTA title, in Washington, and a run to the fourth round at Wimbledon.
Eala will finish the season ranked 15th, while Liu is set to return to the top 70.
Eala plans to spend the off-season with her family, and Liu said she looks forward to returning to Hong Kong next year.
Claire Liu beat Alexandra Eala 6-3, 6-0 in the Hong Kong Open final to win her first WTA Tour title.
The unseeded American claimed the title after a dominant performance, including winning the final three games of the first set.
Eala took a medical timeout for knee pain during the first set.
Liu said the week was mentally tough and that she had tried to let go of pressure and expectations.
Eala said the season had changed her life and called the loss only the beginning.
- Who
- Claire Liu beat Alexandra Eala in the final.
- What
- Liu won the Hong Kong Open and her first WTA Tour title, 6-3, 6-0.
- When
- Sunday, November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Hong Kong.
- Why
- Liu won the final; the sources do not state a specific reason beyond her performance.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Liu defeated Eala in three sets at the Guangzhou Open, according to ESPN.
Liu beat Eala 6-3, 6-0 in the Hong Kong Open final.
Eala took a medical timeout for knee pain while trailing 3-4 in the first set.
Liu said she planned to go home and rest before training again.
- Final score
- Liu defeated Eala 6-3, 6-0.
- Title
- Liu won her first WTA Tour title.
- Ranking
- Liu was ranked No. 102 before the final, according to Ubitennis.
- Eala's season record
- 40-25, according to Ubitennis.
- Eala's year-end ranking
- 15th in the world, according to Ubitennis.
3 sources
What people are saying
I mean it's been four years since my last final so I am really happy to get this one
I really did not feel good … but I realised I needed to let go of the pressure and expectation I put on myself.
This season has changed my life. It has changed my life for the better, I am incredibly proud of the work we have put in this year.
Yeah, I had a bit of pain in my knee for a short period of time there