Alex Eala off to 2026 Hong Kong Open semis

Alex Eala secures semifinal spot after defeating Croatia's Antonia Ruzic in a roller-coaster quarterfinal match at the 2026 Hong Kong Open.

During the match on Nov. 6, the first set got off to an intense start, with both players fighting for every point. The match lasted for more than an hour, with neither giving the other much room to pull away. After the set reached a 6-6 tie, the match went to a tiebreak, where Eala initially built a five-point lead. Ruzic, however, fought her way back, cutting the gap and putting pressure on the Filipina. Eala held her ground and eventually sealed the set, 7-6 (7).

The second set proved just as challenging, with Eala and Ruzic trading breaks and refusing to give up points. Eala struck first, breaking Ruzic's serve to take a 2-1 lead, but the Croatian quickly responded with a break of her own to level the score. The two continued to exchange breaks before Eala managed to regain the advantage, 3-2, and followed it with a crucial hold for a 4-2 lead.

Ruzic held serve to make it 4-3 before rain interrupted play in the eighth game, with Eala still ahead, 4-3. After the delay, Ruzic completed the break to tie the set at 4-4 and then took the lead for the first time in the set, 5-4.

Eala held serve to level the set at 5-5 before breaking ahead, 6-5. Serving for the match, she earned three match points and sealed the win, 7-5, to advance to the semifinals.

"I don't know what inspired me or kept me to continue digging deeper, but Antonia played a really amazing match, and I'm blessed to be able to play another round here," Eala said during the post-match interview.

Asked how she stayed calm and focused during the long sets, she said, "I think more than staying focused, it was just choosing to push through and give everything that I have."

Hong Kong Open is Eala's last campaign season for 2026. She is set to face Maria Sakkari of Greece in the semifinals on Nov. 7.