Alex Eala storms into the Washington Open remaining following a formidable dismantling of four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka of Japan
MANILA, Philippines – Alex Eala stands a victory away from claiming a breakthrough WTA Tour title.
That’s after Eala earned her place within the remaining of the Washington Open in the USA after a powerful 6-4, 6-2 dismantling of four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan on Saturday, August 1 (Sunday, August 2, Manila time).
Extending an excellent marketing campaign by eliminating former world No. 1 Osaka, Eala superior to a WTA 500 remaining for the primary time in her profession and organized a championship date with high seed Jessica Pegula of the USA.
“Tremendous glad. I feel I performed very well. Such a significant match in opposition to an incredible participant. So actually glad to share the court docket with Naomi,” mentioned Eala.
Eala got here again from down 3-4 within the opening set and by no means regarded again as she will get an opportunity to seize a first-ever tour-level crown so as to add to her assortment that features two WTA 125 titles.
The Filipina world No. 28 got here near successful a maiden WTA Tour championship within the 2025 Eastbourne Open, however she misplaced a heartbreaker of a remaining to Australia’s Maya Joint.
Eala, although, has made big strides since, and her efficiency in opposition to Osaka — a hard-court specialist who has dominated the Australian Open and US Open twice every — highlighted how far she has come.
Osaka seized a 4-3 result in begin the match, however Eala responded by successful the subsequent three video games to grab the primary set.
Eala maintained management from there, racing to a 3-1 benefit within the second set earlier than finishing a dominant victory over Osaka in simply 1 hour and 16 minutes.
Holding her personal in opposition to one of many largest servers on tour, Eala broke world No. 13 Osaka 4 occasions.
“It’s such an honor to share the court docket along with her. However I feel it’s with, I assume, simply the way in which I approached at this time’s match, I might by no means depend her out. I needed to be so locked in,” mentioned Eala.
And Eala is aware of the job is much from over as she battles a well-recognized foe in world No. 3 Pegula on Monday, August 3 (Manila time).
Eala can get payback on Pegula over a 12 months since her magical run ended by the hands of the American within the semifinals of the 2025 Miami Open, which marked the primary time a Filipina reached the ultimate 4 of a WTA 1000 match.
“I feel I simply need to belief myself. I’m within the remaining for a motive, she is such an incredible participant, additionally for a motive, so I feel it’s going to be a very good match,” mentioned Eala. – Rappler.com
