‘Most exciting player’ Eala shows ‘Filipino heart’ to make historyImage source, EPAImage caption, Alexandra Eala had a tough route to the title, having to defeat Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka and Jessica PegulaBySophie TrifonoffBBC Sport journalistPublished4 minutes agoAs the umpire called the winning point, Alexandra Eala collapsed to the ground in tears – knowing her country had been with her for every step of the tournament. She overcame weather delays, and the loss of the first set, to defeat world number three Jessica Pegula in the Washington Open final, becoming the first Filipina to win a WTA title.
“To the Filipino community, here in DC and back home, wherever you are in the world. I really feel all the love.”
Even Pegula was impressed by the turnout on Monday, for the continuation of Sunday’s final.
“I can definitely confirm this is the best Monday final crowd I’ve seen,” the American stated. “I’m sure some people took off work. I won’t tell them where you guys were.”
Former world number one Rafael Nadal, whose academy Eala graduated from, congratulated her on the win, writing on X: “A well-deserved title for all the hard work.”
