Alex Eala ends Leylah Fernandez’s reign with gutsy Washington Open comeback

BRAVE. The Philippines' Alex Eala in action in the 2026 Washington Open. WTA Facebook page No-quit Alex Eala fights back from a 1-5 hole in the second set and eliminates defending champion Leylah Fernandez of Canada to advance to the quarterfinals of the Washington Open MANILA, Philippines – Champions continue to fall at the hands of Alex Eala in the Washington Open in the United States. Eala earned her spot in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 tournament following a 6-2, 7-6 (1) victory over defending titleholder Leylah Fernandez of Canada in their round of 16 clash on Wednesday, July 29 (Thursday, July 30, Manila time). The win came after Eala got her payback on reigning Olympic and Asian Games champion Zheng Qinwen in the previous round — the Filipina proving her resolve despite concerns over her fitness that came with her withdrawal from doubles action. Eala’s grit was on full display in the second set as she climbed out of a 1-5 hole, denying an error-plagued Fernandez a chance at forcing a decider. “I think I had definitely some tough moments in that match and credits to Leylah, she put me in some really tough positions. I’m super proud of how I fought and how I stayed in there,” said Eala. Blown out in an opening set that took just 34 minutes to finish, Fernandez hit her stride in the second set and flashed the form that made her the 2025 champion as she built a commanding 5-1 advantage. That lead, however, vanished into thin air, with Eala winning the next five games to wrest the upper hand at 6-5. Although Fernandez held serve in the 12th game to set up a tiebreak, the 2021 US Open finalist faded when it mattered most, her 42 unforced errors costing her the match. Eala grabbed a 5-1 lead in the tiebreak all on Fernandez’s errors before she fired back-to-back forehand winners to seal the win in 1 hour and 53 minutes. The Filipina world No. 28 recorded just 10 winners, 15 fewer than Fernandez, but she saved the best for last. “I knew that she was playing a little better and maybe my level dropped a little bit. I think those are very tricky moments when you know your levels dropped and you want to do better, but things, for one reason or another, aren’t coming out,” said Eala. “I think patience was key there, just trying to work it out, and have a strong mentality in terms of just trying to find solutions.” Eala leveled her WTA Tour head-to-head record against Fernandez to 1-1 as she avenged her loss to the Canadian world No. 34 in the round of 32 of the Stuttgart Open in April. Up next for Eala is the winner between Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina and Uzbekistan’s Polina Kudermetova. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading