Alexandra Eala has made history by becoming the first player from the Philippines to claim a WTA singles title. She achieved this milestone by defeating top-seeded Jessica Pegula in the final of the Washington Open, which was rescheduled to Monday due to inclement weather.
Pegula, ranked third in the world, initially gained momentum on Sunday, taking the first set 6-4 before rain and lightning forced a suspension of play. At the time of the delay, Eala held a 2-1 lead in the second set. When the match resumed on Monday, the 21-year-old Eala dominated, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-0. Her powerful left-handed serve and aggressive baseline shots allowed her to cruise through the final set against the 32-year-old American.
Reflecting on her performance, Eala expressed gratitude and stated that she views this achievement as a significant career milestone. This victory improves her world ranking from 28th to a career-high 20th. Pegula praised her opponent after the match, acknowledging Eala’s rapid development and the strong support she receives from fans. This win marks Eala’s fifth consecutive victory against a top-10 opponent, adding to her previous triumphs over players such as Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.
