Alex Eala Falls to Victoria Mboko in Three-Set Battle at the Hong Kong Open

Filipina tennis star Alexandra Eala suffered a tough defeat to Canada’s Victoria Mboko in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Hong Kong Open, exiting the tournament after a closely contested three-set duel. The match ended 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in favor of Mboko, who fought back from a set down to advance.

Eala began the encounter in commanding fashion. Her baseline precision and strong first serves allowed her to dictate early exchanges, forcing Mboko into defensive positions. The 20-year-old from the Philippines secured a quick break midway through the opening set and maintained her composure to close it out 6-3. It was a display of confidence and control that reflected her growing maturity on the WTA circuit.

However, momentum shifted dramatically in the second set. Mboko, just 18, began to find her rhythm, improving her first-serve percentage and stepping inside the court to take time away from Eala. The Canadian’s heavy topspin and improved movement disrupted Eala’s timing, leading to a series of forced errors. Mboko took the second set 6-3, leveling the match and putting pressure back on her opponent.

In the deciding set, both players traded breaks early, but it was Mboko who seized the crucial moments. Eala’s unforced errors began to creep in, especially on key points, while Mboko stayed aggressive and composed under pressure. At 4-4, Mboko earned a pivotal break after a long rally and confidently served out the match 6-4.

Despite the loss, Eala’s performance showed her continued progress on hard courts. Winning the first set against a talented young rival like Mboko underscores her potential to compete at higher WTA levels. Her ability to start strong has never been in question, but sustaining that intensity and adapting mid-match remain areas of focus as she continues her climb in the rankings.

Mboko’s victory, on the other hand, highlighted her resilience and tactical intelligence. After struggling in the first set, she adjusted her shot selection and court positioning to neutralize Eala’s power. Her comeback win serves as another statement performance for one of Canada’s most promising rising stars.

For Eala, the Hong Kong Open offered valuable lessons ahead of the closing stretch of the 2025 season. Her fans can take heart in the fact that she continues to push established and emerging players deep into matches. As she refines her consistency and endurance, it’s only a matter of time before Eala turns close contests like this into victories.