Filipina tennis star Alex Eala secured a second-round spot in the WTA Hong Kong Open after British player Katie Boulter retired due to injury. The match ended 6-4, 2-1 in Eala's favor after a competitive first set. This marks Eala's first first-round win in her Asia tour this season, breaking a streak of three straight exits.
At center court in Victoria Park, Alex Eala defeated Katie Boulter of the United Kingdom 6-4, 2-1 on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in the WTA Hong Kong Open. The 20-year-old Eala, who recently rose to a career-high world No. 51 ranking, took the first set after a 4-all tie before dominating. Eala led 2-1 in the second set when Boulter, a former world No. 23 and current No. 79, called for a medical timeout and subsequently retired due to injury. The match lasted one hour and 13 minutes.
“I’m a little out of words. You know, I think this time of the year is a tough moment for a lot of players physically and mentally, being the end of the season. I hope that Katie can take this time to recover and just look back at her season proudly,” Eala said after the match.
This victory breaks Eala's cold streak of three straight first-round exits: in the Wuhan Open qualifiers on October 4, Japan Open on October 14, and Guangzhou Open on October 21. As the reigning Guadalajara Open champion, Eala now faces 19-year-old Canadian phenom Victoria Mboko, on a career-high tear at world No. 21, in the round of 16. Boulter, a 29-year-old three-time WTA Tour champion, was the main event singles match of the night.