WTA star prolongs career with latest win in Hong Kong ahead of potential Alex Eala final

Sorana Cirstea defeated Mary Stoiana, 7-5, 6-1, in the second round of the Hong Kong Open.

The 36-year-old Romanian is expected to retire from tennis upon the conclusion of the Hong Kong Open, her final tournament of 2026. Unless she changes her mind and carries on for another year, Cirstea will only play up to three more matches.

Cirstea announced her plans to retire earlier this season, before enjoying the best campaign of her career. The veteran currently sits at her career-high ranking of 15th and could move up to 14th with a title.

Sorana Cirstea could play Alex Eala in the Hong Kong Open final before retiring from tennis

The Romanian may have a maximum of three matches left to play, but she could end on a serious high note. If all goes to plan, Cirstea could meet Filipina sensation Alex Eala in the Hong Kong Open final.

What better way for Cirstea to retire than in a WTA title match against one of the most popular players in the women’s game, in a battle of the top two seeds in Hong Kong?

A win would see Cirstea finish 2026 as the world number 14, ahead of Belgium’s Elise Mertens, improving her career-high by winning the final match of her career.

Live WTA Rankings

There is, however, work to do for both players before they can dream of the final. Eala and Cirstea must navigate tricky quarter-final and semi-final ties to set up a blockbuster championship match in Hong Kong.

Who will Alex Eala and Sorana Cirstea play next in Hong Kong?

Eala will return to play Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic in the Hong Kong Open quarter-finals. As the higher-ranked player, Eala will be the favourite to advance, but won’t want to overlook the world number 81. Ruzic beat Elena Rybakina earlier this year in Dubai, and is no stranger to a big upset.

Cirstea will play Russian qualifier Alexandra Shubladze in the quarters. Shubladze defeated her countrywoman and the seventh seed Liudmila Samsonova in the first round before backing up that win against Elena Pridankina in round two.

Eala and Cirstea will surely fancy their chances of reaching the semi-finals; however, that’s where the level of opposition improves. Eala would face qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich or the fourth seed Maria Sakkari in the semis, while Cirstea would play Zeynep Sonmez or Claire Liu.

It’s far from a foregone conclusion that Eala and Cirstea will meet in the final, but it’s certainly a possibility. With that being said, if they were to face off, who would be the favourite?

Alex Eala and Sorana Cirstea’s head-to-head record (1-1)

• 2024 Madrid Open – Sorana Cirstea defeated Alex Eala, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4
• 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships – Alex Eala defeated Sorana Cirstea, 7-5, 6-4

The Filipina and Romanian are level at 1-1 in their head-to-head, although it was Eala who won their most recent encounter in Dubai earlier this year. Whether she can repeat the feat should they meet in Hong Kong remains to be seen.

Eala will play Ruzic in the Hong Kong Open quarter-finals on Friday, November 6, while Cirstea plays Shubladze. The semi-finals will be played on Saturday, November 7, before the final takes place on Sunday, November 8.