Alexandra Eala Washington win came when the 21 years old defeated world No. 3 Jessica Pegula two sets to one to claim her first WTA tour title at the Washington Open, becoming the first Filipino to win a WTA tournament, according to the WTA.
The victory capped a remarkable week in which Eala, a product of the Rafa Nadal Academy, defeated a string of top players. She beat Qinwen Zheng, the Paris Olympics gold medalist from China, last year?s champion Leylah Fernandez of Canada, world No. 10 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, and former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, according to match records published by the tournament and the WTA.
Her road to the final was notable both for the quality of opponents and for the consistency of her play, the WTA said. This was the second time Eala had reached a WTA final in her career, but the first time she walked away with the title.
Alexandra Eala Washington win sealed after rain delay
In the final against Pegula, Eala lost the opening set four games to six after both players exchanged breaks early. The match was suspended for rain and lightning and was resumed on Monday, Aug. 3, when Eala led two games to one in the second set, tournament officials said.
After more than 24 hours off court, Eala returned with momentum. She evened the match by winning the second set six games to four, then dominated the deciding set by winning six consecutive games to take the final set six to zero and close out the win two sets to one.
On the court after her victory, Eala sank to her knees and covered her face with both hands, tears welling in her eyes. She called the title a major milestone, and thanked her parents, her coaching staff, and the Filipino fans who filled the stands.
“I never imagined I could lift this trophy before the match, this is such an important milestone for me,” Eala said after the match. “Winning a 500-level event is unbelievable. I felt so much love from family and friends, and I know this will not be my last title.”
The crowd at the stadium was heavy with Philippine flags, and tournament commentators noted that the Filipino support was at times louder than the cheers for the home favorite, Pegula. Pegula, asked about the partisan crowd, said she appreciated the energy even if it made for a tougher atmosphere.
Eala limbed from 28th in the world to a career-high 20th in the latest WTA rankings after the tournament, the WTA said. The Rafa Nadal Academy principal, Rafael Nadal, posted on social media to congratulate her and praised her hard work.
As a fellow Rafa Nadal Academy player alongside Hong Kong’s top male player Coleman Wong, Eala’s breakthrough is likely to inspire young players across Asia, coaches and analysts said. Her Washington win underlined that persistence and a clear goal can pay off on the sport’s biggest stages, they added.