Alexandra Eala wins historic first WTA singles title

BAGUIO CITY — Alexandra Eala became the first Filipino player to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour singles title on Monday (Tuesday in the Philippines), rallying from a set down to defeat top seed Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 in the rain-delayed final of the Mubadala DC Open in Washington.

The 21-year-old completed a landmark victory after play had been suspended on Monday because of heavy rain and lightning, with Pegula leading 6-4, 2-1.

When play resumed on Tuesday, Eala quickly seized the momentum and dominated the remainder of the match, winning the final nine games to secure the biggest title of her career.

Ranked world No. 28 at the start of tournament week, Eala is projected to break into the WTA Top 20 for the first time ahead of the U.S. Open following her title run.

Tournament statistics showed Eala won 38 of 45 points behind her first serve, an 84.4% success rate, compared with Pegula’s 56.5%.

She converted four of nine break-point opportunities and claimed 79 of the 140 points played despite finishing without an ace and committing three double faults.

Pegula, the tournament’s top seed and the 2019 Washington champion, entered the final seeking the 12th singles title of her career.

The American had also won their only previous meeting at the Miami Open in 2025.

Eala’s title run included victories over defending champion Leylah Fernandez, second seed Elina Svitolina and third seed Naomi Osaka before overcoming Pegula in the championship match.

Trailing 4-3 in the second set before the rain interruption, Eala wrested control upon the resumption and never relinquished it.

She closed the match with a dominant 6-0 deciding set, surrendering only eight points in the third.

The victory marks another milestone for Philippine tennis, with Eala becoming the country’s first WTA Tour singles champion and strengthening her position among the world’s elite ahead of the season’s final Grand Slam.

The match was televised as part of the Mubadala DC Open tournament broadcast.

(Reporting based on the Mubadala DC Open tournament broadcast and official match statistics.)