Jingshan Open semifinal ends Eala’s title bid in China
The Filipino top seed, ranked 58th, could not convert her lead into a place in the Jingshan Open final as she fell to Lulu Sun, the third seed from New Zealand, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday, September 27. The clash, staged on a sunlit court in the People’s Republic of China, stretched for two hours and 13 minutes and kept spectators on edge through a gripping three-set battle.
Set-by-set: momentum shifts and a late surge
Sun took the first set 6-3, displaying the grass-roots grit that has characterized her campaign this week. The second set proved pivotal. After trading breaks, the set reached 4-4 with Eala looking poised to press her advantage. However, Sun found a late gear, snagging the final two games to steal the set and push the match to a decider.
In the third, Sun asserted her authority early and stayed in control throughout. Eala fought to force a decider-defining moment but managed only a couple of consolation games as the Kiwi closed out the match, advancing to the final. The result sealed the end of Eala’s bid for back-to-back titles in this event and confirmed Sun’s rise to a title opportunity.
What the result means for Eala
The loss marks a disappointing finish to what had been a strong run for the Filipina, who was presented with the top seed at a tournament where every match adds to her growing reputation on the WTA tour. With this exit, Eala remains a →seeded player to watch on the Asian swing, but the dream of a second career title will have to wait for another week as she regroupes and refocuses ahead of upcoming events.
Rising momentum for Lulu Sun
Sun’s performance in this semifinal underscores her momentum entering the final, as she combined solid serving with aggressive groundstrokes to pry open opportunities and convert them when it mattered most. As a third seed, she has seized the chance to push deeper into the tournament, signaling a potential breakthrough week on foreign soil.
Looking ahead for both players
For Eala, the focus will turn to the next stops on the tour, where she will look to translate experience from this high-stakes semifinal into another deep run. The 58th-ranked star remains among the sport’s rising talents, and the experience gained from a tight three-set battle against a quality opponent should bode well as she targets more consistent results.
Sun, by contrast, now carries strong momentum into the final, where she will aim to convert this semifinal performance into a championship. A successful run to the title could further elevate her ranking and confidence as she continues to challenge the era’s established players.
Key details
The match lasted 2 hours and 13 minutes. Eala, the top seed, could not capitalize on early momentum in the second set, and Sun’s late surge in the second and sustained pressure in the third ultimately decided the contest.
