TENNIS – Alexandra Eala dismantled top seed Jessica Pegula 4-6 6-4 6-0 after the weather-hit Washington Open final resumed yesterday, completing a remarkable comeback to become the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour-level singles title.
Meanwhile, third seed Taylor Fritz claimed his first trophy of the season after beating Spanish 19-year-old Rafa Jodar 7-6(2) 6-4 in a tight, similarly rain-delayed men’s decider.
The victory gives Fritz momentum heading into the Canadian Open, the final ATP Masters 1000 event before the US Open, where the home favourite will again be among the leading American hopes to end the country’s men’s Grand Slam singles title drought dating back to Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph in New York.
The 21-year-old Eala resumed play yesterday trailing by a set but leading 2-1 in the second after Sunday’s final started nearly three hours late and was later suspended overnight because of persistent rain.
“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.”
Pegula, chasing a third Washington title after lifting the trophy in 2019 and 2021, was unable to stop the momentum swinging decisively in Eala’s favour.
The Filipina won 10 of the 13 games played after the restart, securing the second set before racing through the decider behind a dominant left-handed serve and fearless baseline hitting that drew increasingly vocal support from a partisan crowd despite Pegula playing on home soil.
“I want to congratulate Alex on an amazing tournament,” said world number three Pegula, known for her calm and methodical style.
“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.”
The victory extended Eala’s winning streak against top-10 opponents to five matches following victories over Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, twice, and Iga Swiatek.
The breakthrough title will propel Eala to a career-high world number 20 when the new WTA rankings are released.
Eala opened her Washington campaign by rallying past Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.
She then dethroned defending champion Leylah Fernandez in another comeback win that saw her battle back from a 5-1 deficit in the second set.
She also swept World No. 10 Svitolina in the quarter-final and dispatched four-time Grand Slam winner and former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka in the final four.
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