Alexandra “Alex” Eala defeated top-seeded Jessica Pegula after a spectacular 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 comeback in the final of the Mubadala DC Open in Washington.
This historic match, with which Eala became the first tennis player from the Philippines to win a WTA title, took place in specific circumstances over two days.
The match started on Sunday, and Pegula had a better start and won the first set 6-4. In the second set, with the score 2:1 for Eala, the match was suspended due to a heavy downpour and postponed until Monday.
When the match resumed in difficult, sultry and warm weather, Pegula led at one point with 4:3 in the second set. However, from that moment Eala took complete control of the match and started an incredible streak.
The young 21-year-old Filipina played aggressively and flawlessly, winning the final 9 games in a row. She turned the second set around 6-4, while in the third set she completely “swept” the world No. 3 6-0, losing only 8 points in the entire set.
Pegula admitted after the match that she “didn’t have fun playing” because Eala had the huge support of the Filipino fans who filled the stadium and created an atmosphere as if she was playing on her home court.
Reactions to the historic victory of Alex Eala against Jessica Pegula are full of excitement, emotional moments and immense respect in the tennis world, and the triumph is already being celebrated as a historic moment for Asian tennis.
Immediately after the match point, the 21-year-old Filipina fell to her knees on the court, covered her face with her hands and cried in shock and disbelief.
The video of her sincere and emotional reaction immediately went viral on social media.
Despite the heavy defeat, especially after losing the third set 0-6, the American Jessica Pegula showed exceptional class and sportsmanship.
She praised Eala saying that she is a perfect role model for young girls in the Philippines. Pegula joked about the atmosphere, admitting that she “didn’t have fun playing” because the crowd was completely on Eala’s side, adding that the cheers from the stadium could literally be heard even in her hotel room.