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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Eala dethrones defending champion Fernandez, advances to Mubadala DC Open quarters

Eala dethrones defending champion Fernandez, advances to Mubadala DC Open quarters

Published Jul 30, 2026 01:28 am

At A Glance

  • The victory set up the world No. 28 Filipina a duel with the winner between second seed Elina Svitolina and Polina Kudermetova.
Alex Eala stormed back from a 1-5 second-set deficit to oust defending champion Leylah Fernandez, 6-2, 7-6 (1), and book a quarterfinal berth at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington D.C. early Thursday, July 30 (Philippine time).
The unseeded Filipina dug deep against the seventh seed and 2021 US Open finalist, reeling off five straight games after trailing 1-5 in the second set to seize a 6-5 lead before Fernandez forced a tiebreak.
But Eala refused to let the momentum slip, dominating the tiebreak to complete the upset win.
The victory set up the world No. 28 Filipina a duel with the winner between second seed Elina Svitolina and Polina Kudermetova.
Eala was in complete control in the opening set, holding serve throughout while capitalizing on Fernandez's erratic play. The Canadian committed 14 unforced errors, allowing the Filipina to take the set with ease.
Fernandez, the world No. 34, responded strongly in the second set, racing to a 5-1 lead and putting Eala on the brink of a deciding set before the Filipina mounted her stunning comeback.
It was a revenge of sorts for Eala, who lost to Fernandez in their first meeting at the Stuttgart Open in Germany a few months ago.

Related Tags

Alex Eala Leylah Fernandez Mubadala DC Open
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