Alex Eala captured the first WTA title of her career after rallying past Jessica Pegula in the Washington Open final.

The final, originally scheduled for Sunday before rain pushed it to Monday, began with Eala trailing by a set. At 1-2 in the second set, she found a way back into the match, taking that set 6-4 and then tightening her grip as Pegula faded in the decider.

The 21-year-old finished the job in emphatic fashion, handing Pegula a bagel in the third set to seal the biggest result of her career. The result was met with loud support from a Filipino-heavy crowd in Washington, which had backed Eala throughout the match.

After the win, Eala said: “Good afternoon everyone. Oh my gosh, where do I start? First of all, of course, first and foremost congratulations Jessie for an amazing week and you’ve had an amazing season. It’s always a pleasure to share the court with you, I definitely learn so, so much.

“Especially from your forehand line and your backhand crosses. I’m really looking forward to hopefully many more finals with you. There’s a long list of people I want to thank and the top of that list is my family, my mum, my dad, my brother.

“My team, Joan, who is over there. You and Sandro, thank you guys. There are my inner circle, they are the ones who are putting in the work every day with me. Who make me feel like I’m not putting in the hardwork alone because I know they’re right there with me, so thank you guys.

“I want to thank the medical staff here, and the WTA medical staff, and the tournament medical staff for helping me throughout the week. I want to thank the tournament, Mark, and the sponsors Mubadala for such an accommodating week. Amazing tournament and moving the final to Monday was no easy feat, but super memorable, so congratulations on a great tournament.”

Eala then dedicated much of her speech to her supporters, especially the Filipino community, saying: “And of course, to all my supporters, so thank you guys. Thank you to all my supporters, especially the Filipino community here in DC, back home, and wherever you are in the world,” said Eala.

“I really thank you guys, I feel all the love. Before the final yesterday, I got so many messages from my family and friends, who are on tour wherever else in the world.

“And I thought to myself, I feel so much love, so standing here in the middle of all this love, my first chance at the title. Knowing it won’t be my last, having already achieved this feat and this milestone for my career.

“I know whatever would have happened after this match, it would have already been a win for me. Thank you everybody and I really look forward to seeing you guys again.”

The victory moved Eala into the top 20 of the WTA Tour rankings for the first time. On Sky Sports Tennis, Miles MacLagan praised her level over the last two sets, saying: “She earned it,” said the former coach of Andy Murray. “The crowd involvement. I’m always amazed by how much emotion they’re bottling up and then you see it. The valve is released and you see it all coming out. What a great week.”

Eala now turns to the Canadian Open, where she will face the winner of Victoria Jiménez Kasintseva and Alycia Parks.

Daniil Medvedev will arrive at the Canadian Open as the fourth seed, a reflection of the significant number of withdrawals from the tournament. Only Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alex de Minaur are placed above him in the seeding.

With Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic all absent, Medvedev becomes one of the leading contenders for the title. The Russian has already collected two ATP Tour trophies in 2026, and the depleted field gives him a clear opportunity to add another major result.

Asked by Bolshe about the absences in Canada and the possible thinking behind them, Medvedev gave a measured response. “I think it’s normal, everyone has their own reasons. Alcaraz injured his wrist, he missed two Slams and so on. Sinner, obviously it’s not easy when you win many tournaments in a row. You win Wimbledon, you don’t have much time,” said the Russian star.

He then pointed specifically to Sinner’s scheduling choice, saying, “Obviously his main goal is the US Open and he chose to prepare the best way possible for the US Open,” he said about Sinner’s decision to miss the tournament again.

Medvedev also addressed Djokovic’s absence, and was candid about the challenge of managing a full calendar at this stage of a career. “If we talk about Novak, he’s 39, age is taking its toll, you need to choose tournaments where you can play well,” added the current world No 6.

“I saw that he’s playing Cincinnati, that’s already good. I thought maybe he would go straight to the US Open. So everyone has their own story, but there are still many great players in the draw and I hope the best one wins.”

Djokovic is set to play the Cincinnati Open for the first time since 2023, when he won the title for a third time.

Medvedev has his own history at both events, having won the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open. He captured the Cincinnati title in 2019 and followed with the Canadian crown two years later. Recent results, however, have been less convincing, with early exits in Canada over the past two years and similarly short runs in Cincinnati across the last three seasons.

He has a first-round bye and will meet either Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Botic van de Zandschulp in round two.

Alex Eala has her first WTA title after defeating Jessica Pegula in the Washington Open final, a result that marked a major step forward in her career.

The 21-year-old Filipina had already shown promise with a run to the Eastbourne Open final and victories in a pair of Challenger events, but this was the first time she converted that progress into a title at one of the WTA Tour’s biggest stages.

The final was stretched across two days after a storm disrupted play on Sunday. Eala returned to the court for the second day trailing by a set, yet she responded with a sharp and composed performance. She took the second set 6-4 before Pegula’s level dropped away, allowing Eala to close out the match with a 6-0 third set.

Hours after the victory, Rafael Nadal posted a message to the 21-year-old on social media. “Congratulations, Alex Eala!,” wrote the King of Clay. “What an incredible week in Washington! A well-deserved title for all the hard work.

Congratulations to the Philippines and to the entire Rafael Nadal Academy team!”

Eala trained at the King of Clay’s academy in Spain during her early years before turning professional and making her mark on the WTA Tour in 2025. Nadal has praised her publicly before, including during her run to the Miami Open semi finals last year. After her quarter final win over Iga Swiatek, he wrote: “We are extremely proud of you, Alex,” Nadal wrote on X after her quarter final victory against the Pole. “What an incredible tournament! Let’s keep dreaming!”

This Washington triumph has lifted Eala into the WTA Tour top 20, and more gains appear likely. She is defending only 70 points across the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open, and US Open, while she is just 41 points behind world No 19 Ekaterina Alexandrova. If her summer form continues, a top 15 debut before the US Open is within reach.

Since the grass court season, Eala has also reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time, won the Birmingham Challenger, and made the semi finals of the Berlin Open. Her rise has been rapid, and it shows no sign of slowing.