Alexandra Eala became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour-level singles title and Taylor Fritz \u2060claimed his first trophy of the season after both rain-delayed DC Open finals were completed on Monday.<\/p>\n
Eala stunned top seed Jessica Pegula 4-6 6-4 \u20606-0 after the weather-hit \u2060women\u2019s final resumed \u200bwith the 21-year-old trailing by a set but leading 2-1 in the second, while third-seeded Fritz beat Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar 7-6 (2) 6-4 \u2060in a tight men\u2019s decider.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel so much love. My first chance at a title knowing it won\u2019t be the last and already having achieved this milestone for \u2060my career,\u201d Eala said on court. \u201cI knew whatever happened after this match would have already been a \u200bwin for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pegula, chasing a third Washington title \u200cafter lifting the trophy in \u200c2019 and 2021, was unable to stop the momentum swinging decisively in Eala\u2019s favor.<\/p>\n
The Filipina won 10 \u200cof the 13 games played after the restart, securing the second set before racing through the decider behind a dominant left-handed serve and fearless baseline hitting that drew increasingly vocal support from a partisan crowd despite Pegula playing on home soil.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to congratulate Alex on an amazing tournament,\u201d Pegula, the world No 3, said.<\/p>\n
Alexandra Eala celebrates with the DC Open trophy as fans fly the flag of the Philippines behind her. Photograph: Will Oliver\/EPA<\/p>\n
\u201cTo see how far you\u2019ve come over the last couple of years \u200cwhen we first played, to see the amazing fans that follow you every place you go, it\u2019s not fun to play against but I think it\u2019s amazing.\u201c<\/p>\n