Alexandra Eala won her first WTA Tour title at the DC Open in Washington on Monday after coming from a set down to beat top seed Jessica Pegula 4-6 6-4 6-0 in a weather-hit final. The 21-year-old Filipina became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour-level singles title, adding to a breakthrough season that has already included wins over several top-10 opponents.
The final was postponed from Sunday because of bad weather in the US capital. Rain and lightning delayed the start on Sunday, Pegula took the first set 6-4, and Eala was leading 2-1 in the second when play was halted for the rest of the day before being completed on Monday.
How did Eala turn the final around?
Eala resumed play on Monday 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. She won 10 of the 13 games played after the restart, closing out the second set before racing through the decider behind a dominant left-handed serve and fearless baseline hitting.
Pegula, who was chasing a third Washington title after winning in 2019 and 2021, was unable to halt the momentum swing once play resumed. The home favourite still reached her second Washington final after coming back from 5-2 down in the first set to beat Russia's Diana Shnaider 7-5 6-4 in the semi-finals.
“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.”
“I feel so much love,” she said. “I knew whatever happened, this match would have already been a win for me.
“My first chance at a title knowing it won't be the last and already [I've] achieved this milestone for my career.”
Eala said before the final that she was a more complete player than when she last faced Pegula. The pair had met once before, with Pegula winning a tight three-set match in the Miami Open semi-finals last year.
What did Pegula say after losing?
Pegula congratulated Eala after the defeat and said the 21-year-old had come a long way in a short time.
“I want to congratulate Alex on an amazing tournament,” Pegula said.
“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.”
Before the final, Pegula had described Eala as “the future of the tour”.
What does the title mean for Eala's ranking and form?
The victory is expected to lift Eala to a career-high world number 20 when the new WTA rankings are released, improving on the career-high 24th place she was set to reach after her run to the final. The second outlet reporting on the match said she would jump from 28th to 20th, but both reports agree the result will take her to a career-best position inside the top 20.
The 21-year-old began the year outside the world's top 50 and has now put together a season that includes five straight wins over top-10 players. Her recent run has included wins over Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, Iga Świątek and Osaka, and she has six victories over top-10 players this season overall.
Eala also became the first singles player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a major in the Open era during her Wimbledon run, where she ended Swiatek's title defence in July. That result was part of the same rise that has now carried her to a WTA title in Washington.
In Washington, Eala beat second seed Elina Svitolina and 2025 champion Leylah Fernandez before sweeping past Osaka in the semi-finals and then overturning Pegula in the final. She has also developed a passionate fanbase during her rise.
What happened in the men's tournament?
In the men's tournament, third seed Taylor Fritz will face rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar in the final. World number 10 Fritz hit 13 aces to beat fellow American Brandon Nakashima 6-3 3-6 6-3.
Jodar, who will break into the world's top 20 after starting the year ranked 165th, beat Chile's Alejandro Tabilo 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 6-4.
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Key Facts
- Alexandra Eala beat Jessica Pegula 4-6 6-4 6-0 to win the DC Open title.
- The 21-year-old became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour-level singles title.
- The final was delayed by rain and completed on Monday after being suspended overnight.
- Eala is expected to rise to a career-high world number 20.
- Taylor Fritz will face Rafael Jodar in the men's final.
