Overview
- Eala advanced 6-4, 2-1 after Katie Boulter retired early in the second set, booking a round-of-16 place at the WTA 250 in Hong Kong.
- The victory moves her to 1,143 points and a provisional live ranking of No. 50, with only Alycia Parks, Cristina Bucsa or Francesca Jones able to overtake her this week by winning titles.
- She will face No. 3 seed Victoria Mboko next in their first tour-level meeting for a spot in the quarterfinals.
- Eala entered the event at a career-high No. 51 following a season that included a Miami Open semifinal, her first WTA final at Eastbourne, and a landmark US Open main-draw singles win for a Filipina.
- After the match, she wished Boulter a swift recovery and reiterated she is "still hungry" to finish the season strongly as her team plans for 2026.