Alex Eala finally got the better of Tereza Valentova in their third meeting after overcoming the Czech teenager in a tightly contested 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) win in the Round of 16 of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Thursday evening.
Eala initially looked comfortable in the opening set, overcoming early pressure on her serve before breaking Valentova to establish a 2-0 advantage. The 21-year-old continued to dictate the exchanges, using her aggressive forehand and effective first serve to extend her lead to 3-0.
Valentova eventually got on the scoreboard and gradually found her rhythm. Despite trailing 4-1, the Czech mounted a comeback by winning three consecutive games to level the set at 4-all, taking advantage of Eala’s unforced errors and difficulties on serve.
The Filipina then regained the lead at 5-4 before breaking Valentova’s serve to love in the following game, sealing the opening set, 6-4.
Alex Eala Battles Back From a 3-5 Deficit in Second Set
The second set proved even more challenging for Alex Eala as Tereza Valentova began to put more pressure on the Filipina’s service games.
After the two players exchanged holds, the 19-year-old secured a break to move ahead before Eala immediately responded with a break of her own to restore parity.
However, the world No. 85 continued to make things difficult for the second seed, producing another service break to take a 4-3 advantage. The Czech eventually extended her lead to 5-3, putting herself within a game of forcing a deciding set.
With her Hong Kong campaign hanging in the balance, Eala responded with a crucial service hold to cut the deficit to 5-4. She then capitalized on Valentova’s errors to break back and level the set at 5-all.
The Filipina carried that momentum into the next game, holding serve to move ahead, 6-5, and put Valentova under pressure. But the Czech held her ground in the 12th game, preventing Eala from closing out the match and forcing a tiebreak after tying the set at 6-6.
Alex Eala Holds Her Nerve to Complete Tiebreak Victory
The tiebreak delivered another dramatic stretch of tennis as Eala immediately seized control, winning the first five points to build a commanding 5-0 lead.
Valentova, however, refused to give up, stringing together several points to work her way back into contention. The Czech eventually erased Eala’s advantage and kept the contest alive after saving multiple match points, bringing the tiebreak to a 7-7 deadlock.
Despite letting her early cushion slip away, Eala remained composed in the decisive moments. The Filipina produced two crucial points to finally put Valentova away, winning the tiebreak, 9-7, and completing her straight-sets victory.
Up Next: Antonia Ruzic in the Quarters
The win was particularly significant for Eala as she finally got her revenge after losing at the 2025 Japan Women’s Open and the Qatar Open earlier this year.
With the Round of 16 hurdle behind her, the second-seeded Filipina will now turn her attention to Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic in the quarterfinals on Friday, Nov. 6.
Ruzic booked her place in the last eight after defeating sixth-seeded Wang Xinyu of China, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Ranked No. 81 in the world, the Croatian will face Eala for the first time in their professional careers.
Alex Eala Next Match
Tournament: WTA 250 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open
Event: Singles — Quarterfinals: Alex Eala vs. Antonia Ruzic
Date: Friday, November 6
Time: 7:40 p.m. (Time subject to change.)
