Alex Eala and Nadiia Kichenok Fall in Guangzhou Open Semis

Eala and Kichenok’s Run Ends in Semifinal Heartbreaker

Alex Eala from the Philippines and Nadiia Kichenok from Ukraine had a great run at the Guangzhou Open, but it ended on Saturday when they lost to Katarzyna Piter and Janice Tjen in the doubles semifinals by a score of 6–7, 6–3, 10–5.

The tough encounter on center court showed how strong and compatible Eala and Kichenok are as a team. They pushed their higher-ranked opponents to the brink before losing in a very close match.

Strong Start but Missed Opportunities

Eala and Kichenok started the match with solid baseline exchanges and assured net play. They won the opening set in an exciting tiebreaker. They took an early lead by being aggressive and covering the court well. They won the first set, 7–6, by converting key points.

But the second set changed everything. Piter and Tjen established their groove and broke serve early to take a 5–2 lead. They did this by making steady returns and tactical volleys to gain the upper hand. Eala and Kichenok made a late effort, but they lost the set 6–3, which sent the match into a tiebreak.

Decider Goes to Piter and Tjen

Piter and Tjen from Poland and Indonesia kept their cool under duress throughout the match tiebreak. They sped ahead with accurate serves and rapid net finishes, and in the end, they won the deciding match 10–5 to get to the finals.

The loss eliminated Eala and Kichenok’s chances of winning the championship, but the match got a lot of accolades for how competitive the two were and how well they were able to beat experienced players throughout the tournament.

Another Notable Run in Eala’s WTA Season

Even though she lost in the semifinals, 20-year-old Eala is still building a strong doubles resume on the WTA Tour. Her semifinal finish is just one more thing she has done as she moves from being a successful junior player to an outstanding professional.

Eala also played singles earlier in the event; however, she lost in the Round of 32 to American Claire Liu in a tough three-set match that ended 2–6, 6–4, 4–6.

Eala’s Growth Continues Ahead of Upcoming Events

Eala’s rapid climb on the professional circuit continues with her success at the Guangzhou Open. Her doubles game has gotten better over time, with more clever volleys and better communication on the court. This has made her a tough partner in international competitions.

Eala is projected to play in forthcoming Asian and European WTA tournaments as the 2025 season goes on. She wants to go up in both singles and doubles rankings. The young Filipina is still one of the best tennis players in the region, and she is becoming better and better with the help of experienced partners like Kichenok.