Tearful Alex Eala loses Hong Kong Open final to Claire Liu in straight sets

Claire Liu beat Alex Eala 6-3, 6-0 to win the Hong Kong Open final and claim her first WTA Tour title. The defeat ended Eala’s bid for a second title in a breakthrough season, but she described the year as life-changing and said she was proud of the work her team had put in.

The 21-year-old Filipino rose from 50th in the rankings at the start of the year to a career-high 17th, and is set to reach 15th next week. She won her maiden title in Washington, DC, in August, becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour tournament. Eala finished the Hong Kong final with heavy strapping on her right leg.