Filipina tennis player Alexandra Eala made history on Monday after defeating top seed Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 to win the Mubadala DC Open, becoming the first athlete from the Philippines to capture a WTA Tour-level singles title.
The 21-year-old left-hander staged a remarkable comeback in a rain-delayed final that began on Sunday evening before bad weather forced play to be suspended with Eala trailing by a set, though leading 2-1 in the second.
When play resumed on Monday, world number three Pegula initially pushed ahead to lead 4-3 in the second set. However, Eala responded with clinical baseline hitting and a dominant left-handed serve, winning 10 of the final 13 games and sweeping the last nine games of the match to seal the biggest victory of her career.
The victory capped an outstanding campaign in the United States capital, where Eala navigated a formidable draw. Before overcoming Pegula in the final, the young Filipina eliminated second seed Elina Svitolina, third seed Naomi Osaka, seventh seed and defending champion Leylah Fernandez, and 2024 Paris Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen.
“I never thought I would lift this trophy,” Eala told the WTA website following her triumph. “I finished the tournament in better shape than when I started it.”
Addressing the crowd after her victory, Eala expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support she received throughout the week.
“I feel so much love. My first chance at a title knowing it won’t be the last and already having achieved this milestone for my career,” Eala said on court. “I knew whatever happened after this match would have already been a win for me.”
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Breakthrough Into the Top 20
The Washington victory marks a significant milestone for Eala, coming a year after she failed to capitalise on four championship points in her loss to Maya Joint at the Eastbourne Open final
Pegula, a two-time Washington champion in 2019 and 2021, paid tribute to Eala’s development and the vocal support that rallied behind the Filipina.
“I want to congratulate Alex on an amazing tournament,” Pegula said. “To see how far you’ve come over the last couple of years when 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.”
Eala’s title run extended her winning streak against top-10 opponents to five matches, following recent victories over Elena Rybakina, Svitolina (twice), and world number one Iga Swiatek. With seven top-10 victories this season, Eala equals the record held by Rybakina and Svitolina.
The result is projected to elevate Eala into the top 20 of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career. She will next compete at the WTA 1000 Canadian Open, where she enters as the 25th seed and will face American Alycia Parks in the second round after receiving a first-round bye.
