Alex Eala Wins 1st WTA Title in DC After Rallying Past Top Seed Pegula
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Aug 29
Alex Eala Wins 1st WTA Title in DC After Rallying Past Top Seed Pegula
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Aug 29
Summary
A set down in the Mubadala DC Open final, 21-year-old Alex Eala stormed back to beat top-seeded Jessica Pegula and claim the first WTA singles title by a player from the Philippines.
The comeback turned on Eala’s surge after losing the opener, as she overwhelmed the 11-time WTA champion in the decider and capped a breakthrough run with an emotional on-court celebration.
Thousands of Filipino fans packed the rain-delayed Monday final, waving flags and roaring her on before Eala video-called her family and then told Pegula she expected them to meet in many more finals.
The title sent Eala straight to Toronto for the National Bank Open, where her sold-out first-round match underscored how quickly her fan base and profile have expanded beyond the breakthrough week in Washington.