Alexandra Eala Defeats Jessica Pegula to Win First WTA Singles Title

The breakthrough happened in a match that lasted longer than anyone anticipated. After heavy rain pushed the final across two days, Alexandra Eala rallied from a set down to stun world No. 3 Jessica Pegula. The victory at the ESPN marks the first time a player from the Philippines has captured a singles title on the tour.

Eala entered the Stadium Court as the tournament’s focal point, supported by a crowd where Philippine flags were prominent and chants for the 21-year-old often drowned out those for Pegula.

Weather Delays and the Momentum Shift at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center

The final was a struggle against the elements as much as the opponent. Rain and lightning forced a nearly three-hour delay to the start on Sunday. Once play began, Pegula appeared to be in control, taking the first set 6-4. Eala had briefly held the lead at 2-1 in the second set before further downpours forced organizers to suspend the match and postpone the remainder for the following day.

View this post on Instagram about alexandra eala jessica pegula, Alexandra Eala DC Open

When the players reconvened on Monday, the dynamic shifted. Eala won 10 of the 13 games played after the restart. She claimed the second set 6-4 and then completely dominated the decider, winning it 6-0. According to the WTA, Eala dropped only eight points in that final set, utilizing a dominant left-handed serve and aggressive baseline hitting to secure the title.

“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. I knew whatever happened after this match would have already been a win for me.”

Alexandra Eala, via Theguardian

A Gauntlet of Champions: Eala’s Path to the Title

The final against Pegula was the culmination of a “giant-slaying” run. Eala didn’t just stumble into the final; she methodically took down the tournament’s top seeds and several of the game’s most decorated players. Her path included victories over 2024 Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and defending champion Leylah Fernandez, the latter of whom Eala defeated after trailing 5-1 in the second set.

The momentum continued through the final stages, where she swept world No. 10 Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals and dispatched former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka in the semifinals. This run extended Eala’s winning streak against top-10 opponents to five matches, following previous wins over Iga Świątek and Elena Rybakina, as reported by the BBC.

Ranking Surges and the $252,000 Prize

The victory carries significant weight both financially and professionally. Eala will earn $252,000 and 500 ranking points for the win. More importantly, the result is projected to propel her from 28th to a career-high world No. 20 in the PIF WTA Rankings.

The two had previously met in the semifinals of the March 2025 Miami Open, where Pegula won in three sets. With this victory, Eala has evened their head-to-head matchup.

“First, I wanna congratulate Alex on an amazing week, amazing tournament. I don’t know how much more I can say, but you’re an amazing player and just to see how far you’ve come over the last couple of years when we first played… it’s not fun to play against, but I really do appreciate the fun atmosphere.”

Jessica Pegula, via Inquirer

Next Stop: The National Bank Open in Toronto

Eala does not have much time to celebrate before her next challenge. She is scheduled to compete in the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Toronto starting August 5. Seeded 25th for the event, she has received a first-round bye.

View this post on Instagram about alexandra eala jessica pegula, Alexandra Eala DC Open

Her entry into the round of 64 will see her face the winner of the match between Alycia Parks and Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva. Coming off a week where she defeated three of the top seeds in Washington, Eala enters the Canadian Open as a legitimate threat to the top tier of the rankings.

Eala’s reflection on the match highlighted her respect for the veteran Pegula, noting that she learned so, so much, especially from your forehand lines and backhand crosses and expressed a desire for more finals between the two in the future.