Alex Eala is the Mubadala DC Open champion after she beat Jessica Pegula in three sets (4-6, 6-4, 6-0) in the final.
The women’s singles final was initially suspended on August 3 due to the rain, with Pegula up a set and Eala up 2-1 in the second set.
Eala and Pegula’s second meeting after the former’s breakout run in Miami last year resumed on August 4 (Philippine Time).
Alex Eala Comes Back Big
The Filipina tennis player broke away from a close second set at 4-4 to come back from a set down just a day before. In the third set, Eala proved to be the better player, dropping only eight points on serve and breaking Pegula thrice to arrive at 6-0 in the final set.
“Before the final yesterday, actually I got so many sweet messages from my family and from my friends who are on tour wherever else in the world,” Eala said during her championship speech. “And you know I thought to myself, ‘I feel so much love.’”
“I knew that whatever would’ve happened after this match, it would’ve already been a win for me, so thank you everybody, and I really look forward to seeing you guys again.”
Alex Eala’s New Career High
She enters the Top 20 in the WTA rankings, a new career high, after winning her first WTA title since turning pro last year. Eala entered the DC Open ranked 28 in the world. She then went on to beat 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist Qinwen Zheng, DC Open defending champion Leylah Fernandez, Rome champion Elina Svitolina, and four-time major champion Naomi Osaka on the way to the finals with Pegula.
Eala will compete in the National Bank Open in Toronto next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alex Eala defeated Jessica Pegula in three sets (4-6, 6-4, 6-0) in the Mubadala DC Open finals.
The women’s singles finals at the Mubadala DC Open between Alex Eala and Jessica Pegula started on August 3, 2026 but was suspended after the third game in the second set due to rain. It resumed on August 4, 2026.
Yes, the Mubadala DC Open, a WTA 500 tournament, is Alex Eala’s first WTA tour title.
Alex Eala will compete in the National Bank Open in Toronto next, where she has a bye in the first round. Her second-round match is scheduled for the first week of August.
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