Alexandra Eala confirms third WTA final as Maria Sakkari and rain delays in Hong Kong successfully dealt with

Nothing has come easy for Alexandra Eala this week at the Hong Kong Open. In the wake of two thrilling contests to confirm her spot in the semi-finals, she went one better as the 21-year-old successfully navigated the rain delays and former World No.3 Maria Sakkari 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to reach a third WTA final, a second in 2026.

The match was a hugely dramatic one, lasting over three hours in total. Eala’s last-16 and quarter-final ties were both straight set wins against Tereza Valentova and Antonia Ruzic but packed with tense scenes and moments. She would power through and now had Sakkari to deal with.

It was a first meeting between the pair, with the Greek back on the rise. She was looking to get back in the top 25 in the WTA rankings with a second WTA final of 2026, but it was not to be. Instead, Eala confirmed a top 15 breakthrough. A new career-high will be in store next Monday, and possibly a second WTA title.

Eala saw her early break lead vanish before striking late to win the first set and lead. Sakkari came charging back, starting the second set on the front foot as the rain caused havoc late on. She saw it out but was hapless as the Filipina stormed into an authoritative lead. The two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist set up a blockbuster ending, but was unable to contain the ravenous Eala from getting over the finishing line in a three-hour thriller.

Eala bolted out of the blocks with a bang. She won the first 10 points of the match, breaking from the off before going 0-30 ahead in the third game. Any threats of a double break were soon halted by an overwhelmed Sakkari who found her feet and got her first game on the scoreboard.

More break points came up for Eala, but it would be a massive waste. She blew a 0-40 lead before a fourth break point came and went as Sakkari survived. She then showed her opponent how it is done to get back on level terms. Eala soon seized back the initiative, but Sakkari was wise to her.

With the score at 4-4, Eala was again wasteful when break points were on the table. She could have been serving for the set but instead would serve to stay in the set. From this point, the DC Open champion moved up a gear. A three-game burst where she dropped just three points gifted her the first set in rampant fashion.

She looked to kick on and put more daylight between her and Sakkari, but a solitary break point squandered opened the door for Sakkari to muster up a response. The 31-year-old did not relinquish her chance, flipping the script as she enjoyed a three-game burst of her own.

It could have been four, but Eala prevented that from occurring. The rest of the set remained on serve, but the drama was just beginning. On four separate occasions, separate rain showers halted the set right at the business end. The ball kids and even the umpire were desperately trying to get the court dry, but a few points later it would return and they would be back to square one. The fourth and final time this happened, in this set at least, Eala had break points at 5-4 down. Sakkari was not going to let this opportunity slip through her fingers, charging back as she restored parity with a third set decider on the way.

The rain would continue to be a pain that the players had to deal with, but the Filipina was the stronger. She sprinted into a 2-0 lead before defending efforts by Sakkari to move 3-0 to the good.

A hold to love put her within two games of another WTA final. As the contest hit the three-hour mark, Sakkari fought back. She got the match back on serve, but Eala still had the slender advantage. Two break points came and went as Sakkari tiptoed over those harrowing chances to level at 4-4.

A ruthless hold to love from Eala put her at striking distance. Two match points were formed against the serve, with Sakkari on the brink of despair. The second one was converted, and Eala's 2026 season prolongs for one more match. She will take on Claire Liu in the final of the Hong Kong Open, with the No.2 seed the red-hot favourite for glory.