Alex Eala shares her big hope for her fans after reaching the final of the Hong Kong Open

Alex Eala and her passionate fans have another WTA final to look forward to at the Hong Kong Open.

Eala wants to be positive in the final of the WTA 250 tournament, where she will take on Claire Liu. She is the second seed at the Hong Kong Open, where she has just knocked out fourth seed Maria Sakkari, having previously beaten Emerson Jones, Tereza Valentova and Antonia Ruzic.

As is usually the case, Eala has attracted a huge following in Hong Kong, with her loyal fans eager to see their favourite player lift a second career trophy. The Filipina sensation has now discussed those fans ahead of another final.

Alex Eala shares hope for her fans ahead of Hong Kong Open final

Speaking to journalist Dyan Castillejo, Eala said of her fans after beating Sakkari 7-5, 3-6, 6-4: “I mean of course, every match they help me. And they make just the whole experience of being on tour very fun. And I hope the feeling is reciprocated. They come and they have fun and they learn about tennis and get to cheer on their favourite players.”

And when asked if the fans give her more fight, she replied: “Definitely most of my fight comes from within. And I think that that’s something a lot of tennis players have. At the end of the day cheering, although I’m super, super grateful for it, it’s also something you can’t control. I’ve been competing for very long and it’s not always been full stadiums, let’s say. So the fight has to come from within for sure.”

Alex Eala ‘very motivated’ to claim Hong Kong Open title

Eala also spoke in a press conference after her superb win over Sakkari, where she was tasked with discussing her motivation and how relaxed she intends to be during the final. She said: “I think… well for sure I’m definitely very motivated. I think there could be balance between relaxed… and I think it’s also how you define relaxed. Maybe I would use the word calm.

“But yeah of course, how do I want the final to go? I want to win. That would be amazing. But I’ve done everything I could up to this point and if I do the best that I can tomorrow and give everything I have, I will be a very happy girl.”

Eala certainly has extra motivation to beat Liu, having lost their only previous meeting. She will, therefore, be taking nothing for granted against the American world number 102, even with her superior ranking and indeed her huge support from the stands.