Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala delivered another clutch performance on the international stage, overcoming Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic, 7-6 (9-7), 7-5, to advance to the semifinals of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Friday, November 6, 2026.
The second-seeded Eala battled through a grueling two-hour, 30-minute quarterfinal showdown, refusing to surrender despite repeated challenges from her Croatian opponent. The opening set turned into a test of nerves as Eala built a commanding 5-0 lead in the tiebreak, only for Ruzic to storm back and reach set point at 7-6. But the Filipina held her ground, winning three consecutive points to steal the first set.
The pressure intensified in the second set when rain briefly interrupted play with Eala leading 4-3. Ruzic returned from the delay with renewed momentum, eventually moving ahead 5-4 and threatening to force a deciding set. Eala, however, refused to let the match slip away, winning the final three games to complete the straight-sets victory.
The hard-earned win sends Eala into a semifinal clash against fourth-seeded Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari, a former world No. 3 and two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. Sakkari secured her spot after defeating Aliaksandra Sasnovich, 6-2, 6-3, setting up another challenging encounter for the Filipina as she continues her pursuit of the WTA 250 championship.
From surviving a dramatic tiebreak to turning the tables in the closing games, Eala proved that composure can make all the difference when the stakes are high. With a place in the championship match now within reach, the Filipina carries her momentum into another major test against one of the tournament’s most experienced contenders.