Alex Eala storms back vs Jessica Pegula to claim maiden tour title in Washington

CHAMP. The Philippines' Alex Eala rules the 2026 Washington Open in the United States. Mubadala DC Open's Instagram page Getting her act together in a nervy final that got delayed, halted, and rescheduled due to persistent rain, Alex Eala becomes the first Filipina to win a WTA Tour title as she stuns world No. 3 Jessica Pegula to rule the Washington Open MANILA, Philippines – It felt like the sun came out just for Alex Eala’s coronation. Getting her act together in a nervy final that got delayed, halted, and rescheduled due to persistent rain, the Filipina captured a first-ever WTA Tour crown in the Washington Open after a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 win over world No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the United States on Monday, August 3 (Tuesday, August 4, Manila time). Eala dominated the resumption against one of the world’s steadiest players, beating Pegula in each of the last eight games as she cemented her place among the sport’s rising stars by becoming the first Filipina to win a WTA Tour crown. The win allowed Eala to avenge her loss to Pegula in their first WTA Tour encounter, in which the American outlasted the Filipina in the semifinals of the 2025 Miami Open. Eala refused a repeat of that defeat. After Pegula leveled the second set at 4-4, Eala took complete control of the match, reeling off the next eight games to clinch the biggest title of her young career. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading