MANILA – Alexandra Eala moved within one victory of the biggest title of her career after overpowering four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, 6-4, 6-2, to reach her first-ever WTA 500 final in the Mubadala DC Open on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines) in Washington, D.C.
The 21-year-old Filipina continued her sensational giant-killing run by dismantling another former world No. 1, earning a place in the championship match and becoming the first Filipina to reach a WTA 500 final. The milestone also marked her second final appearance above WTA 125 level after finishing runner-up at last year’s Eastbourne Open.
Eala overcame an early challenge after Osaka claimed the opening game before quickly finding her rhythm. The two traded service breaks in the first set, but the Filipina seized control by winning the final three games to take a 6-4 advantage.
She never looked back in the second set, breaking Osaka’s serve early to establish a 2-0 lead. While the Japanese star briefly halted the momentum, Eala dictated the rallies with her aggressive baseline play and capitalized on Osaka’s unforced errors to widen the gap.
Serving for the match at 5-2, Eala stayed composed and closed out another emphatic straight-set victory to keep her dream run alive.
“One more match, I guess, but I’m super, super happy. I think I played really well. And of course, such a meaningful match against a great player. So really happy to share the court with Naomi,” Eala said.
Osaka became the latest high-profile casualty in Eala’s impressive campaign. Before reaching the final, the Filipina had also eliminated Olympic champion and former world No. 4 Zheng Qinwen, Canadian-Filipina Leylah Fernandez, and second seed Elina Svitolina.
Eala now faces top-seeded American Jessica Pegula in the championship match, a rematch of their Miami Open semifinal last season where Pegula halted the Filipina’s breakthrough run.
A victory over Pegula would give Eala the biggest title of her professional career and her maiden WTA 500 crown.
“I think I just have to trust myself. I’m in the final for a reason. She is such an amazing player also for a reason. So I think it’s going to be a really good match,” Eala said./PN
