Alex Eala finally got one over Tereza Valentova, overcoming the Czech youngster in a thrilling straight-sets victory, 6-4, 7-6(7), to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 WTA Hong Kong Open on Thursday night at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium.
The Filipina star, who entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed, ended her two-match losing streak against Valentova, securing her first career victory over the Czech after previously falling to her in the 2025 Kinoshita Group Japan Open and the 2026 Qatar Open.
Eala showed early control of the second-round encounter, breaking Valentova’s serve in the second game to establish a 2-0 advantage before extending her lead to 3-0.
Valentova gradually worked her way back into the opening set, stringing together three consecutive games to erase a 4-1 deficit and level the score at 4-4.
However, Eala held her nerve in the ninth game, saving multiple break points before eventually securing her service game to move ahead, 5-4. She then capitalized on the momentum, breaking Valentova to close out the opening set, 6-4.
It marked the first time Eala had taken a set off the Czech in their three career meetings.
The second set proved even more challenging, with both players trading breaks in a tightly contested battle.
Valentova drew first blood with a break in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead, but Eala immediately responded by breaking back to level the set at 3-3.
The Czech regained the advantage with another break in the seventh game and eventually moved within a game of forcing a deciding set at 5-3.
Eala, however, refused to fold, holding serve before breaking Valentova to tie the set at 5-5. The two exchanged holds in the next two games, sending the match into a tiebreak.
Eala immediately seized control of the tiebreak, racing to a 3-0 lead before stretching her advantage to 5-2.
Valentova fought back to make it a one-point game at 5-4, but Eala earned her first match point at 6-4.
The Czech saved the opportunity and continued to battle, forcing the tiebreak into a tense 7-7 deadlock. Eala eventually found a way through, converting her fourth match point to seal the victory and book her place in the last eight.
Eala advanced to the second round after dispatching lucky loser Emerson Jones, 6-4, 6-3, in Tuesday’s opening-round encounter.
The victory keeps the 20-year-old Filipina’s campaign alive as she looks to cap her 2026 season with another deep run on the WTA Tour.
