By Desmond Nleya
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Alexandra Eala etched her name into tennis history after becoming the first Filipino player to win a WTA Tour singles title, defeating top seed Jessica Pegula in a dramatic, rain-delayed final at the Mubadala DC Open.
The 21-year-old staged an impressive comeback to beat the world No. 3 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 in a championship match that was suspended by rain on Sunday and concluded on Monday.
When play resumed, Eala took complete control, winning 10 of the final 13 games with powerful baseline hitting and an outstanding serving display to secure the biggest victory of her career.
Speaking after lifting the trophy, Eala expressed her gratitude and confidence for the future.
“I feel so much love. This was my first opportunity to win a title, and I know it won’t be my last. Whatever happened after this match, I had already achieved something special for my career,” she said.
Pegula, the 2019 DC Open champion, praised Eala’s rapid rise and growing fan support.
“It’s amazing to see how far you’ve come over the past few years. The support you receive everywhere you play is incredible. It’s not easy playing against you, but it’s wonderful to witness,” Pegula said during the trophy presentation.
In the men’s final, American Taylor Fritz claimed his first ATP title of the 2026 season by defeating 19-year-old Spanish prospect Rafael Jodar 7-6(2), 6-4.
The 28-year-old, who recently returned from a knee injury, delivered a composed performance, winning 81 percent of his first-serve points. Fritz dominated the opening-set tiebreak before breaking Jodar’s serve in the second set to seal his 11th career ATP title.
The Mubadala DC Open concluded after a week of weather disruptions, with players now shifting their focus to the North American hardcourt season leading up to the US Open.
