MANILA – Second seed Filipino Alexandra Eala defeated fourth seed Greek Maria Sakkari, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, Saturday night to reach the WTA 250 Prudential Hong Kong Open final at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium outdoor hardcourt.
The 21-year-old Eala will face American Claire Liu, who beat Russian Alexandra Shubladze, 7-5, 6-4, in the other semifinal.
Sakkari, a former World No. 3, fired five aces to dominate the second set which was suspended several times due to rain.
The weather continued to affect the third set, with play suspended again when Eala was up, 3-0.
After Sakkari tied at 4-all, Eala won the next two games to wrap up the match after two hours and 43 minutes. (Jean Malanum/PNA)
Alexandra Eala (Hong Kong Open photo)
