Alex Eala suffered her third consecutive early exit as she was eliminated by Claire Liu in the Round of 32 of the WTA 250 Guangzhou Open on the evening of October 21, 2025.
Couldn’t Sustain the Early Lead in Set 2 and Struggles in Set 3
If back in March or April 2025, if the match goes to Set 3, fans were complacent that the tennis legend from the Philippines, Alex Eala, could still win the game.
But in the Ber months of 2025, things changed.
The 20-year-old Eala, seeded fourth and ranked world No. 53, began the match with promise, dictating tempo early on against the 25-year-old Liu, who came into the main draw after impressive qualifying victories over Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva and Linda Fruhvirtova.
Despite being ranked only No. 305 following a long layoff from injuries, the former world junior No. 1 displayed glimpses of her past form throughout the encounter.
After trading early service breaks and reaching 2-all, Eala found her rhythm midway through the first set. The Filipina’s powerful groundstrokes and consistent returns helped her sweep four straight games, clinching the opener after just 40 minutes.
FINAL SCORE OF SET 1: 6 – 2
At that point, Eala appeared poised for a routine win, having won six consecutive games dating back to her early break recovery.
However, momentum shifted dramatically in the second set. Liu started aggressively, jumping to a 2–0 lead behind sharp serves and an improved baseline game.
Eala responded with determination, reeling off four straight games to surge ahead 4–2. But just when the match seemed within her grasp, Liu fought back once again. Using her reliable first serve and pinpoint placement, she strung together four straight games, which included four aces in the set, in order to snatch the second frame and force a decider.
FINAL SCORE OF SET 2: 6 – 4
The third set unfolded as a test of endurance and composure.
Eala managed to open with a hold and later moved ahead 3–1, seemingly regaining control. Yet Liu, showing the grit that once brought her into the WTA Top 60, broke Eala’s serve to narrow the gap to 3–2. The American carried her momentum through the next game to level the score at 3–3.
Eala briefly steadied herself and reclaimed a 4–3 lead, but her inconsistency on crucial points proved costly. Liu capitalized on the Filipina’s missed opportunities, capturing back-to-back tightly contested games to seize a 5–4 edge.
Serving for the match in the 10th game, Liu opened with another booming ace, racing to a 40–0 lead. Eala managed to save two match points through resilient returns, but Liu closed out the two-hour, 28-minute battle on her third opportunity, completing the comeback.
FINAL SCORE OF SET 3: 6 – 4
Up Next: Double’s Match vs Qianhui Tang and Emily Appleton
With the Round of 32 exit for Eala, it adds to her “Asian Tournament Struggle” as last October 4, she lost in the Round 1 of Qualifiers for the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open. That match also happened to have a Set 3 duel in it.
Then at the WTA 250 Kinoshita Group Japan Open last October 14, the Guadalajara champion got outclassed after 2 sets.
But Alex has no time to mourn for her “What if” matches as she plays in the Doubles’ tournament today, October 22 at 2:10 PM (Philippine Date and Time).
She’ll be pairing up with Nadiia Kichenok as they battle against Qianhui Tang and Emily Appleton in the Round of 16 of the Guangzhou Open.
