Alexandra Eala delivered an impressive comeback victory against top-seeded Jessica Pegula, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 to claim the Washington Open title. This win marks a historic milestone as Eala becomes the first Filipino player to secure a WTA Tour-level singles championship.
The 21-year-old resumed the final on Monday after the match was interrupted by nearly three hours of rain on Sunday and subsequently suspended overnight due to persistent weather conditions. At the time of suspension, Eala was trailing by a set but held a 2-1 lead in the second set.
Pegula, who was seeking her third Washington Open title following victories in 2019 and 2021, found it difficult to regain momentum after the match restarted. Eala capitalized on the opportunity, dominating the remainder of the contest by winning 10 of the last 13 games.
She secured the second set before overpowering Pegula in the final set with strong left-handed serves and aggressive baseline strokes. Despite playing on Pegula’s home turf, Eala received enthusiastic support from the crowd throughout her dominant performance.
In a significant development, this victory marks Eala’s fifth consecutive win against a top-10 opponent, adding Pegula to a list that includes Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina (twice), and Iga Swiatek. The landmark achievement is expected to elevate Eala to a career-high world ranking of No. 20 when the updated WTA standings are published.
