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Asian Champions of the Hong Kong Open as Alex Eala Falls Short in 2026 Final

Alex Eala's strong performance at the Hong Kong Open came to an end on Sunday. Claire Liu, ranked 102nd globally, secured a commanding 6-3, 6-0 win over Eala in the final, marking her second title of 2026.

The match was tied 3-3 in the first set before Liu surged ahead with nine straight games. This victory will boost Liu's ranking by over 30 places, moving her up to number 69. Meanwhile, Eala will climb two spots to reach world number 15.

Asian Champions at the Hong Kong Open

Eala’s defeat means she missed joining the select group of Asian players who have won the Hong Kong Open singles title. The list includes three notable champions:

  • Ramesh Krishnan (1986): The Indian player was the first Asian winner. He beat Ecuador’s Andres Gomez 7–6, 6–0, 7–5, overcoming the two-time defending champion.
  • Wang Shi-ting (1993): The Taiwanese star, a six-time WTA champion and former world No. 26, defeated American Marianne Witmeyer 6–4, 3–6, 7–5 to become the first Asian woman champion.
  • Alexander Bublik (2026): Though not Asian, his 2026 win over Lorenzo Musetti, 7-6, 6-3, ended a long wait for a new champion at the event.

Alex Eala’s Path to the Final

  • First round: defeated Emerson Jones 6-4, 6-3
  • Second round: defeated Tereza Valentova 6-4, 7-6
  • Quarter-finals: defeated Antonia Ruzic 7-6, 7-5
  • Semi-finals: defeated Maria Sakkari 7-5, 3-6, 6-4
  • Final: lost to Claire Liu 3-6, 0-6

Rankings Update After the Final

  • Alex Eala: rises to world No. 15 (+2)
  • Claire Liu: climbs to world No. 69 (+33)

Comments from Alexander Bublik

"The only goal for this season was to achieve the Top 10, and in the first week, I have won the title and I am into the Top 10," Bublik said after his victory. "If you had told me that last April, I would never have believed you. But it is a pleasure, and I hope to continue in the same way."

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