Eala beats late replacement Jones to advance in Hong Kong
The Filipina will meet Tereza Valentova in the last 16 after a straight-sets victory over Australia's world No. 132.
Alex Eala reached the Hong Kong Open’s second round on November 3, 2026, beating Australia’s Emerson Jones 6-4, 6-3 after a late switch of opponents. The 21-year-old Filipina completed the match in one hour and 23 minutes.
Alycia Parks had been due to play Eala but withdrew because of a shoulder injury just hours before their scheduled match. Jones, ranked world No. 132, stepped in and recovered from losing the first four games to take three in succession.
Eala moved 5-3 ahead before Jones narrowed the gap again. The 18-year-old Australian then led 40-15 in the 10th game, threatening to level the set. Eala responded by winning four consecutive points, three from Jones errors, to secure the opener.
In the second set, Eala established a 4-1 advantage and capitalised on further mistakes from Jones, whose final two shots went wide. Eala’s next opponent is Tereza Valentova, who also advanced in straight sets by defeating Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume.
