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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Eala stuns Osaka, marches into first WTA 500 final

Eala stuns Osaka, marches into first WTA 500 final

Published Aug 2, 2026 05:38 am

At A Glance

  • The world No. 28 Filipina showcased her poise and grit against the hard-hitting, third-seeded Osaka, digging deep in a tough contest to reach her first-ever WTA 500 championship match.
Alex Eala (Mubadala DC Open)
Alex Eala (Mubadala DC Open)
Alex Eala added another marquee scalp to her growing list of giant-killing feats, stunning former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, 6-4, 6-2, to storm into the finals of the Mubadala DC Open in Washington D.C. on Sunday, Aug. 2 (Philippine time).
The world No. 28 Filipina showcased her poise and grit against the hard-hitting, third-seeded Osaka, digging deep in a tough contest to reach her first-ever WTA 500 championship match.
It was also Eala’s second career final following her runner-up finish at the WTA 125 Eastbourne last year.
Awaiting Eala in the final is top seed and world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, who earlier dispatched fourth pick Diana Shnaider, 7-5, 6-4.
“I think I played really well and I had a great mentality and I stayed locked in till the end,” said Eala.
“She definitely has aura and she definitely has power, I can tell you… So it’s really a great experience to share the court with her and I’m really happy that I was able to produce that level against her,” she added.
Eala and Osaka matched each other shot for shot in the opening set, exchanging service breaks in the third and fourth games before settling into a string of holds that kept the score tied at 4-all.
But consecutive unforced errors from Osaka proved costly, allowing Eala to break serve and grab a pivotal 5-4 lead.
Riding the momentum, Eala comfortably held the next game to seal the first set in her favor, then stormed to a 2-0 lead in the second set to stay in complete control.
A decisive break in the seventh game all but sealed Osaka's fate as the Filipina wrapped up the stunning victory in one hour and 16 minutes.

Related Tags

Alex Eala Naomi Osaka Jessica Pegula Mubadala DC Open
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