Alex Eala looks to build on her momentum and advance to the quarterfinals as she faces Canada’s Victoria Mboko in a rematch of their 2022 US Open juniors clash at the Hong Kong Tennis Open.
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala will look to continue her strong run on the Asian swing as she takes on Canada’s Victoria Mboko in the round of 16 of the 2025 Hong Kong Tennis Open on Thursday night, October 30.
The 20-year-old Filipina advanced to the second round after British opponent Katie Boulter retired due to injury while trailing 6-4, 1-2. Eala showed solid composure throughout the match, dictating rallies with her powerful forehand and aggressive baseline play before the match was cut short.
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala makes Hong Kong Open Round of 16 after Katie Boulter retires due to injury]
Her opponent, the 19-year-old Mboko, had a more challenging path to the round of 16. The third seed had to rally from a set down to defeat Australia’s Talia Gibson, 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-4, in a tense three-set battle.
This marks the first WTA-level meeting between Eala and Mboko, though the two rising stars have crossed paths before.
They last met as juniors at the 2022 US Open girls’ singles semifinals, where Eala prevailed 6-1, 7-6(5) en route to capturing her first Grand Slam singles crown.
[ALSO READ: Big Apple, Big Dreams: Timeline of Alex Eala’s full circle moment at the US Open]
Both players are coming into the match in career-best form. Eala is nearing the world’s top 50 for the first time, while Mboko has climbed to No. 21 and could move higher with another deep run this week.
The match is expected to begin at 6:30 p.m.
(With reports by Kiko Demigillo/One Sports)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]