Alexandra Eala advances to Hong Kong Open second round as Katie Boulter retires; Filipina to face Victoria Mboko
Alexandra Eala is into the next round of the 2025 Hong Kong Open, though not in the way she would have hoped.
The Filipina tennis star advances to the second round of the WTA 250 tournament in Hong Kong, China, after opponent Katie Boulter of Great Britain had to retire in the second set on Tuesday (28 October). Eala progresses with a 6-4, 2-1 ret. scoreline.
“I’m a little [lost] for words,” a subdued Eala said after her win. “I think this time of the year is a tough moment for a lot of players, physically and mentally at the end of the season, so I hope Katie can take the time to recover and look back proudly on this season.”
An enticing round of 16 tie lies in store, as world No. 51 Eala meets rising Canadian star and world No. 21 Victoria Mboko at Victoria Park Centre Court.
Eala, who is at a career high on the verge of the WTA top 50, prevailed in 69 minutes after coming through a tight opening set against world No. 79 Boulter.
Having exchanged breaks midway through the set, the 20-year-old denied Boulter two opportunities to hold her serve in the 10th game, eventually converting her second set point.
The pair once again broke each other to begin the second set, but all of a sudden Boulter began to slow down and lose accuracy. Coupled with Eala’s solid percentage of second serve points won (63 per cent), she took control and held to love before the second changeover.
By that point, Boulter had called the medic to receive treatment, having to concede the match with injury and send Eala into the WTA 250 tournament round of 16.
