Hong Kong Open First Round Wraps: Eala Advances in Straight Sets, Top Seed Cirstea Survives Three-Hour Battle
The first round of the WTA 250 Hong Kong Open concluded on November 3, with the top seeds advancing and one notable upset.
Second seed Alexandra Eala defeated lucky loser Emerson Jones 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 23 minutes. Eala's recent run has lifted her to a career-high world ranking of No. 17.
Top seed Sorana Cirstea survived a three-hour, 10-minute battle against Maria Timofeeva, winning 7-6(6), 1-6, 7-5 despite winning fewer total points than her opponent, 119 to 121.
Qualifier Shubladze scored the upset of the day, beating seventh seed Liudmila Samsonova 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 for her first tour-level main-draw win on debut. Gibson, Joint, Sonmez and Valentova also advanced, while Paula Badosa retired after losing the first set 7-5, sending Pridankina through.
(Source: WTA)
Source: WTA
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 菲律宾网球选手Alexandra Eala。Filipino tennis player Alexandra Eala. Photo: Philippine Sports Commission / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
