Alexandra Eala set to ‘lie low’ after Hong Kong blow as Claire Liu ends title wait

South China Morning Post - Nov 8, 2026

Alexandra Eala was planning to “disappear for a bit and lie low” after she suffered a chastening Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open final defeat by an inspired Claire Liu on Sunday, as the American claimed the first WTA 250 title of her career. After breaking Liu to lead 2-1 in the opening set, Eala, nursing a knee problem and unable to make any inroads against her irresistible opponent’s serve, dropped 11 of the next 12 games to lose 6-3, 6-0 in one hour and 33 minutes. Still, after the best...

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Andrea Atzeni launches into International Jockeys’ Championship contention with Sha Tin treble

Nov 8, 2026

Andrea Atzeni launches into International Jockeys’ Championship contention with Sha Tin treble

Andrea Atzeni catapulted into Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) contention with a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday, helping the Kwok family celebrate Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse day in style. Atzeni booted home John Size’s pair of promising four-year-olds Prime Ace and Beauty Award and the Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Bolt, with the two Beauty horses raced by the race day sponsors the Kwoks. For Atzeni, the three-timer boosted his seasonal tally to 12 wins and helped him jump to fifth in the...

UST snaps 3-game skid, pumps life to semis bid with win over FEU

Nov 8, 2026

UST snaps 3-game skid, pumps life to semis bid with win over FEU

MANILA, Philippines -- The University of Santo Tomas snapped its 3-game skid and pumped life to its UAAP Season 89 men's basketball Final Four bid after nipping Far Eastern University, 86-85, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday. Amiel Acido fired 23 points including back-to-back treys that gave the Growling Tigers an 86-82 lead in the last 1:12. UST hung on for the remainder of the contest, only giving up a Jorick Bautista trey at the last second that delivered the final count. Acido added three rebounds for the Tigers who growled to 5-6 for a share of fifth place with the Ateneo Blue Eagles. The Tamaraws dropped to 6-5 for a share of third place with the De La Salle Green Archers.

Jerry Chau continues rampant season as Speed Dragon roars to Group Three glory at Sha Tin

Nov 8, 2026

Jerry Chau continues rampant season as Speed Dragon roars to Group Three glory at Sha Tin

Speed Dragon roared home to continue a remarkable start to the season for jockey Jerry Chau Chun-lok by winning the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Arriving at the meeting with 16 wins for the campaign, Chau continued to take plaudits with another ultra-cool feature ride. It was a critical win for Chau in the race for the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC), moving him three clear of Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and five clear of Andrea Atzeni. These will be...

'This is only the beginning': Alex Eala closes 2026 run with promise of more

Nov 8, 2026

'This is only the beginning': Alex Eala closes 2026 run with promise of more

Despite falling short of a season-ending title at the Hong Kong Tennis Open, Alex Eala knows it is only the start of what promises to be an even bigger journey as she looks back on a historic 2026 campaign that saw her break new ground and reach unprecedented heights.

Alex Eala eyes 2nd WTA title vs Claire Liu in Hong Kong Open final

Nov 8, 2026

Alex Eala eyes 2nd WTA title vs Claire Liu in Hong Kong Open final

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala looks to put the icing on the cake on her breakthrough season on Sunday in the Hong Kong Open final. Eala, who rose from top 50 to a career-high World No. 17 and captured her maiden tour title in Washington this year, battles American Claire Liu for the WTA 250 crown in

Alex Eala 2026 Season Recap: First WTA title, Grand Slam runs, and historic milestones

Nov 8, 2026

Alex Eala 2026 Season Recap: First WTA title, Grand Slam runs, and historic milestones

Alexandra Eala wrapped up her historic 2026 campaign on Sunday, settling for a runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Tennis Open after falling to American Claire Liu, 6-3, 6-0, in the final.

Hong Kong football embarrassment after local FA’s Fifa window failure

Nov 8, 2026

Hong Kong football embarrassment after local FA’s Fifa window failure

Hong Kong’s football team will sit embarrassingly idle during the forthcoming Fifa window after the local association failed to arrange any fixtures this month for its representative side. Instead of trying to harness the momentum of the successful recent Fifa Asean Challenge Cup campaign, head coach Roberto Losada will oversee an under-23 city team training camp in Thailand. The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), which had been plotting to stage the annual Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup...

Alex Eala bows to Liu in Hong Kong Open finals

Nov 8, 2026

Alex Eala bows to Liu in Hong Kong Open finals

MANILA, Philippines — Gunning to end her final tournament of the year with a bang, Filipina tennis ace Alexandra “Alex” Eala fell short in her bid to capture her second World Tennis Association (WTA) title after bowing to World No. 95 Claire Liu of the United States, 3-6, 0-6, in the finals of the 2026 Hong Kong Open at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium on Sunday. World No. 17 Alex Eala faded in the final after navigating a brutal path that included grueling marathon-like matches over Tereza Valentova, Antonia Ruzic, and Maria Sakkari before stepping into the finals. In contrast to the Filipina, the American has not dropped a set all week, giving her the advantage when it comes to endurance. Liu took the first blow after a 6-3 win in the opener, as Eala was seen aiding her right leg. The second frame was a punisher for both netters as it took 11 deuces before Liu earned a point. Eala held the first seven break points before Liu handed her a heartbreak and scored a game, 1-0. The Filipina was visibly exhausted and frustrated, which led Liu to extend her rally to win seven games in a row, 5-0. Liu earned her first-ever WTA title after scoring back-to-back aces, followed by Eala's attack error, 6-0 Eala started the year 2026 ranked World No. 50, then scored a career-high ranking of World No. 17 in November

Alex Eala falls to world No. 102 Claire Liu to end season as Hong Kong Tennis Open runner-up

Nov 8, 2026

Alex Eala falls to world No. 102 Claire Liu to end season as Hong Kong Tennis Open runner-up

Alexandra Eala was denied her second WTA title after falling to world No. 102 Claire Liu in the Hong Kong Open final, 6-3, 6-0 on Sunday to settle for a runner-up finish in her season-ending tournament.

NU gets back at La Salle, boosts Final Four bid

Nov 8, 2026

NU gets back at La Salle, boosts Final Four bid

MANILA, Philippines -- National University got back at De La Salle University, 84-80, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday to boost its UAAP Season 89 men's basketball Final Four bid.  Reinhard Jumamoy poured 21 points, six assists, five rebounds, and four steals to lead the Bulldogs, who avenged their first-round defeat to the Green Archers to rise to 8-3 for second place behind the UP Fighting Maroons.  Paul Franciso drained a trey to give Bulldogs an 82-80 lead with 44 seconds left and PJ Palacielo eventually sealed it for NU with two free throws in the last four seconds.  Doy Dungo fired 19 points and four assists to pace the defending champ La Salle, which fell to 6-5 for fourth place.

UAAP: Jumamoy sparks NU's fourth-quarter surge past La Salle to boost Final Four bid

Nov 8, 2026

UAAP: Jumamoy sparks NU's fourth-quarter surge past La Salle to boost Final Four bid

Reinhard Jumamoy led National University"s fourth-quarter barrage as the Bulldogs squeaked past De La Salle University, 84-80, to boost their Final Four bid in the UAAP Season 89 men"s basketball tournament.

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