Camille Naredo

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts after winning the women's singles championship match against Jessica Pegula of the United States on the final day of the Mubadala DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 3, 2026 in Washington, DC.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 03: Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts after winning the women's singles championship match against Jessica Pegula of the United States on the final day of the Mubadala DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 3, 2026 in Washington, DC.   Scott Taetsch/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Scott Taetsch / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

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Mubadala Citi DC Open 2026 - Final Day

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785858174136AFP__20260803__2288162188__v1__MidRes__MubadalaCitiDcOpen2026FinalDay.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts after winning the women&#x27;s singles championship match against Jessica Pegula of the United States on the final day of the Mubadala DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 3, 2026 in Washington, DC. Scott Taetsch, Getty Images/AFP"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts after winning the women&#x27;s singles championship match against Jessica Pegula of the United States on the final day of the Mubadala DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 3, 2026 in Washington, DC. <em>Scott Taetsch, Getty Images/AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>Alex Eala had stayed at an even keel throughout her campaign in Washington DC, even as she racked up victory after victory over some of the top names in the sport.</p><p>But when her triumph at the Mubadala DC Open was confirmed with yet another huge win on Monday, the young Filipina finally allowed herself to feel all the emotions.</p><p>&quot;It was just a huge explosion of emotions and all the nerves that have been building up this past week,&quot; said Eala, who fell to the ground after winning the last point in the final against Jessica Pegula.</p><p>&quot;[I&#x27;m] very, very happy,&quot; she added.</p><p>Eala has recorded several milestones over the past year but this result is her biggest yet -- a first WTA Tour championship that came after beating the No. 1 seed Pegula, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, in a final that was split across two days due to inclement weather. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/8/4/tennis-mubadala-dc-open-alex-eala-jessica-pegula-final-result-0059">READ: Alex Eala turns back Pegula, makes history with DC Open title</a></div><p>Before conquering Pegula, Eala had also beaten reigning Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, world no. 10 Elina Svitolina, and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.</p><p>&quot;These weeks creep up on you,&quot; Eala said afterward. &quot;I think I&#x27;ve handled the situations and the obstacles that have come this week very well, so I&#x27;m really proud of that.&quot;</p><p>But she was upfront when asked how badly she wanted the victory. &quot;As much as anyone would want a win. This is my first title. I have a crack at a WTA 500. You gotta go for it,&quot; she stressed.</p><p>Eala had drawn praise for her stunning 6-4, 6-2 victory over Osaka in the semifinal, as she dismantled the former world No. 1.</p><p>She showed in the final that she can elevate her level even further. Eala had dropped the opening set but taken a slim 2-1 lead in the second when play was suspended due to a thunderstorm. When action resumed the next day, the Filipina seized the momentum and never looked back.</p><p>Eala capped her week with a 6-0 shutout of Pegula in the third set.</p><p>&quot;There was a little bit more intensity in the intentions that I had on court. I kind of stuck with the game plan a little bit more and was able to execute it more proficiently,&quot; she said.</p><p>Celebrating the historic title will have to wait, however, as Eala&#x27;s schedule does not allow for anything fancy. Indeed, the Filipina had already shifted her attention to her next challenge -- the Canadian Open in Toronto, where she is the 25th seed.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m going to get a good night&#x27;s rest, then I leave for Toronto,&quot; she said. &quot;Hopefully, I&#x27;ll see you guys there.&quot;</p><p>Eala received a bye to the second round of the Canadian open -- a WTA 1000 event -- where she will play Alycia Parks of the United States.</p><div><strong>-- report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kkFDpJr1bd0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Alex Eala had stayed at an even keel throughout her campaign in Washington DC, even as she racked up victory after victory over some of the top names in the sport.</p>

Alex Eala had stayed at an even keel throughout her campaign in Washington DC, even as she racked up victory after victory over some of the top names in the sport.

After elation over first WTA crown, Alex Eala shifts attention to Toronto

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After elation over first WTA crown, Alex Eala shifts attention to Toronto

ABS-CBN News

Published August 04, 2026 11:44 PM PHT

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tennis

Canadian Open

National Bank Open

Alex Eala

Mubadala DC Open

Jessica Pegula

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