After an incredible run at the Mubadala DC Open, a WTA 500 tournament, Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala recently achieved her highest career ranking to date.
The Philippine pride is now the world’s number 20 with 2106 points after claiming her maiden title on the WTA Tour.
In her most dominant run of the season yet, she charged through a gauntlet of elite opponents, dropping just two sets all tournament.
En route to being the champion, she ousted Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, the tournament’s number 2 seed Elina Svitolina, and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.
She sealed her outstanding streak by conquering World No. 3 and the tournament’s top seed Jessica Pegula, exacting sweet revenge against the player who halted her breakthrough Miami Open campaign a year ago.
The 21-year-old’s title chase was forced to wait an extra day after rain suspended the final on August 3.
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However, the delay proved to be a blessing in disguise as she was trailing Jessica Pegula, 6-4, after the opening set, maximising the overnight interruption to reset before storming back to claim the trophy.
In the first eight games of set 2, Eala and Pegula were still playing head-to-head, but Eala surged past her and took total control to force a deciding set.
Having the momentum, the Filipina favourite ripped off a clean third set against her Miami tormentor to complete a comeback victory, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.
“I feel so much love,” the new Mubadala DC Open champion said.
“My first chance at a title knowing it won’t be the last, and already having achieved this milestone for my career. I knew whatever happened after this match would have already been a win for me.”
Eala is now in the history books for being the first Filipino to ever win a WTA title.
Alex ‘Darling of the Crowd’ Eala
During the awarding ceremony, Mubadala DC Open chairman and owner Mark Ein had the best praises for Eala before hoisting her the golden trophy.
“To our champion, Alex Eala. A few months before the event our ticketing team called me and said virtually all the requests about players, and we had an incredible draw this year, were about Alex Eala,” he began.
“Boy, was it great to have you and your following at this tournament this year,” he continued.
“I know earlier this week you were wearing a Nike t-shirt with a Filipino expression which said once it grows, it can’t stop. You are growing right here before all of our eyes and I know you can’t be stopped. Congratulations on your first title and the first Filipino ever to win.”
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Like a true champion, Pegula also had nothing but respect and adoration for Eala, recognising her tremendous influence and impact on the tennis industry, while joking that it is “not fun to play against” with her due to her massive and roaring crowd.
“I want to congratulate Alex on an amazing tournament. To see how far you’ve come over the last couple of years [since] 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 No. 1 seed and world No. 3, said.
Eala, on the other hand, will not be enjoying a lengthy victory party as she is immediately setting her eyes next to the Canadian Open in Toronto.
The WTA 1000 tournament starts on August 5, wherein she received a first-round bye, giving her a short break before taking the hard court again.
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