Hong Kong:Philippines tennis player Alex Eala fell short of securing her second WTA Tour title, losing to unseeded American Claire Liu in the Hong Kong Open final on Sunday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Liu, ranked 102, won her first career title by defeating second-seed Eala 6-3, 6-0, without dropping a set throughout the tournament.
Despite being considered the underdog, 26-year-old Liu broke Eala's serve in the eighth game of the first set, taking a 5-3 lead at Victoria Park. Liu missed her first set point but secured the second, leaving Eala's fans stunned.
Eala, 21, who was visibly hindered by a large bandage on her right knee and required medical attention, faced immediate pressure in the second set. Liu broke Eala's serve in the opening game, which set the tone for the rest of the match, ultimately leading to Eala's defeat.
Eala, who has reached a career-high ranking of 17, was aiming to add another title to her achievements, having previously won in Washington, DC, in August, becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour tournament.