Alexandra Eala, ranked 20th in the world, made history as the first Filipino player to clinch a women’s singles title on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour.
Eala secured her landmark victory by defeating Jessica Pegula, the world No. 3 from the U.S., with a score of 2-1 (4-6, 6-4, 6-0) in the final of the Washington Open on Monday.
This groundbreaking win not only etched Eala’s name in Philippine tennis history but also earned her a substantial prize of 252,000 USD.
The match was a grueling affair, spanning two days due to heavy rainfall.
When play was suspended on the first day, Eala had dropped the opening set but held a 2-1 lead in the second. Upon resumption, she showcased remarkable resilience, stringing together nine consecutive games to seize control of the match.
After leveling the contest by taking the second set, Eala maintained her momentum. She delivered a flawless performance in the deciding set, shutting out her opponent to secure the championship.
In the post-match interview, an elated Eala expressed her disbelief, saying that at the start of this week, she couldn’t have imagined holding this trophy. Winning a 500 series tournament is truly surreal. It’s a monumental milestone in her career.
Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao joined the chorus of congratulations, praising Eala on social media.
The eight-division world champion wrote that Eala has exemplified the fighting spirit of the Filipino people. She is the new champion.
In the men’s singles final, American Taylor Fritz, ranked 8th in the world, defeated Spain’s Rafael Nadal, ranked 15th, with a score of 2-0 (7-6, 6-4) to claim his 11th career tour title.