MANILA – Filipina tennis ace Alexandra Eala saw her title bid at the 1st Jingshan Open Tennis 2025 WTA 125 come to a halt after bowing to New Zealand’s Lulu Sun, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, in a grueling semifinal clash on Saturday in Jingshan, China.
Eala, who was eyeing her first finals appearance of the season, started brightly by breaking Sun’s serve twice en route to a 6-3 opening set win. But the higher-ranked Sun countered with aggressive returns in the second frame to level the match, before dominating the deciding set with two crucial service breaks.
The 20-year-old Filipina fought on equal footing in long baseline rallies but was undone by inconsistency on her first serve. Eala landed 62 percent of her first serves but won only 49 percent of those points, while Sun was more efficient at 60 percent.
Eala managed one ace against seven double faults, converting six of 13 break-point chances. Sun, however, proved sharper, hitting four aces and cashing in on eight of 14 break opportunities.
Overall, Sun edged Eala in total points won, 98-91, and pulled away with longer momentum runs, including six straight games and an eight-point streak.
Despite the loss, Eala’s semifinal run is expected to improve her standing in the WTA rankings and adds to her growing experience against top-tier opposition—an asset as she pursues deeper finishes in the international circuit./PN
