Alexandra Eala made history in Washington DC on Monday, becoming the first Filipino player to win a WTA singles title with a 4-6 6-4 6-0 victory over top seed Jessica Pegula in a rain-delayed final at the Washington Open.
The 21-year-old left-hander had to wait an extra day for her landmark moment. The championship match was postponed on Sunday after thunderstorms swept the US capital, with play halted while Eala trailed 2-1 in the second set having lost the opener 6-4. When the pair returned to court on Monday, the momentum had shifted decisively: Pegula managed just three more games as Eala served with authority and struck fearless groundstrokes from the baseline to close out the biggest win of her career.
"I feel so much love," Eala said. "My first chance at a title, knowing it won't be the last — and already I've achieved this milestone for my career."
The result is the latest chapter in a remarkable rise. Eala began the year ranked outside the world's top 50 and will jump from 28th to a career-high 20th in the rankings. The win also extended her winning streak against top-10 opposition to five matches, following victories over Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina (twice) and Iga Swiatek.
Pegula, the world number three and a two-time former champion in Washington (2019 and 2021), was generous in defeat. "To see how far you've come over the last couple of years since we first played, to see the amazing fans that follow you every place you go, it's not fun to play against, but I think it's amazing," the 32-year-old American said, having described Eala as "the future of the tour" before the final.
There was an American winner in the men's draw too, where third seed Taylor Fritz beat 19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 to collect his 11th ATP title and his first since Eastbourne last year.
For Philippine tennis the breakthrough is historic: Eala is the first player from her country to lift a WTA trophy, and at 21 she has established herself as one of the most exciting young talents on the tour.
Sources
- BBC Sport: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cvglr1pr1gxo
- Yahoo Sports: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/alexandra-eala-jessica-pegula-prize-170806300.html
