(1st UPDATE) Getting her act collectively in a nervy last that obtained delayed, halted, and rescheduled as a result of persistent rain, Eala turns into the primary Filipina to win a WTA Tour title as she stuns world No. 3 Pegula to rule the Washington Open
MANILA, Philippines – It felt just like the solar got here out only for Alex Eala’s coronation.
Getting her act collectively in a nervy last that obtained delayed, halted, and rescheduled as a result of persistent rain, the Filipina captured a first-ever WTA Tour crown within the Washington Open after a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 win over world No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the US on Monday, August 3 (Tuesday, August 4, Manila time).
Eala dominated the resumption towards one of many world’s steadiest gamers, beating Pegula in every of the final eight video games as she cemented her place among the many sport’s rising stars by turning into the primary Filipina to win a tour crown.
The win allowed Eala to get payback on Pegula after their first tour encounter noticed the American outlast the Filipina in three units within the semifinals of the 2025 Miami Open.
It was a loss that ended Eala’s magical run as the primary Filipina to succeed in the final 4 of a WTA 1000 event.
Eala refused a repeat of that defeat.
After the top-seeded American leveled the second set at 4-4, Eala took full management of the match and reeled off the subsequent eight video games to clinch the largest title of her younger profession, capping a dream debut in a WTA 500 last.
Eala shared the triumph along with her household and training employees, led by Joan Bosch, who proudly watched from the stands as his ward lastly broke via.
“They’re those placing within the work each day with me, who make me really feel like I’m not enduring alone or placing within the exhausting work alone as a result of I do know they’re proper there with me. So, thanks, guys,” mentioned Eala.
The trail to the crown proved something however straightforward as Eala navigated a frightening draw that includes all three high seeds and the defending champion.
She dethroned 2025 titleholder Leylah Fernandez of Canada within the spherical of 16, shocked second seed and world No. 10 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine within the quarterfinals, and dominated third seed and former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka within the semifinals.
Eala, at the moment ranked No. 28 on the planet, additionally eradicated reigning Olympic and Asian Video games champion Zheng Qinwen within the spherical of 32.
By beating Pegula, Eala prolonged her profitable streak towards top-10 opponents to 5 matches, having defeated Svitolina twice and Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina and Poland’s Iga Swiatek as soon as every.
Eala improved her file towards top-10 gamers to 9-4, with seven of these victories coming this 12 months alone.
Rain suspension
The match was initially scheduled to get underway at 12 am on Monday (Manila time), however rain delayed the beginning for 3 hours.
Officers then suspended play and postponed the match till the next day after one other downpour, with Pegula having taken the opening set and Eala main 2-1 within the second set.
That suspension might need been precisely what Eala wanted as she picked Pegula aside and gained 10 of the 13 video games within the resumption.
Whereas it was Pegula taking part in on dwelling turf, the environment instructed a unique story, with throngs of Filipinos trooping to the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Middle to cheer on Eala.
Eala fed off that assist, breaking Pegula 4 occasions throughout that stretch and turning into solely the second participant to carry the American star scoreless in a set in 2026.
The final time Pegula did not win a recreation in a set got here in her 0-6, 3-6 defeat to Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk within the Brisbane Worldwide in Australia in January.
“Thanks to all my supporters, particularly the Filipino neighborhood right here in DC and again dwelling and wherever you might be on the planet. I really feel all of the love,” mentioned Eala.
Eala’s third-set dismantling of Pegula highlighted how far she has come a 12 months after struggling heartbreak in her first tour last within the 2025 Eastbourne Open in Nice Britain, the place she fell agonizingly wanting the WTA 250 title after losing 4 championship factors towards Australia’s Maya Joint.
The Filipina added the Washington Open crown to her assortment, which features a pair of WTA 125 titles, having gained within the 2025 Guadalajara Open in Mexico and the 2026 Birmingham Open in Nice Britain. – Rappler.com
