Alexandra Eala dismantled top seed Jessica Pegula 4-6 6-4 6-0 after the weather-hit \u2060DC Open final in Washington resumed on Monday, completing a remarkable comeback to become the first player from the Philippines to win a \u2060WTA \u200bTour-level singles title.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old resumed play on Monday trailing by a set but leading 2-1 in the second \u2060after Sunday\u2019s final started nearly three hours late and was later suspended overnight because of persistent rain.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel so \u2060much love. My first chance at a title knowing it won\u2019t be \u200bthe last and already having \u200cachieved this milestone for \u200cmy career,\u201d Eala said on court. \u201cI knew whatever happened after this match \u200cwould have already been a win for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pegula, chasing a third Washington title after lifting the trophy in 2019 and 2021, was unable to stop the momentum swinging decisively in Eala\u2019s favor.<\/p>\n
The Filipina won 10 of the 13 games played after the restart, securing the second \u200cset before racing through the decider behind a dominant left-handed serve and fearless baseline hitting that drew increasingly vocal \u200bsupport from a partisan crowd despite Pegula playing on home soil.<\/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
\u201cI want to congratulate Alex on an amazing tournament,\u201d Pegula, the world No 3, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo see how far you\u2019ve come over the last couple of years when we \u2060first played, to see the amazing fans that follow you \u200bevery place you \u200bgo, it\u2019s not fun to \u200bplay against but I think it\u2019s amazing.\u201c<\/p>\n