WASHINGTON — The rain may have interrupted Alex Eala’s championship battle, but it also left the door wide open for a dramatic Filipino comeback.
Eala’s highly anticipated DC Open final against American top seed Jessica Pegula was suspended Sunday after thunderstorms made conditions unplayable, leaving the Filipina tennis sensation trailing by just one set—but very much alive in her pursuit of a historic first WTA title.
Pegula took the opening set, 6-4, before Eala moved ahead, 2-1, in the second set when the rain began pouring at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.
After hours of waiting, tournament officials ultimately postponed the remainder of the match.
The championship showdown is scheduled to resume at 12 noon Monday in Washington—or 12 midnight Tuesday, August 4, in the Philippines. The men’s final between Taylor Fritz and Rafael Jodar will follow.
Eala Was Ready to Fight Back
The match had already been delayed for around three hours because of bad weather, but Eala came out firing once play finally began.
The 21-year-old Filipina broke Pegula and surged to a 4-3 advantage in the opening set, putting the world No. 3 under heavy pressure.
Pegula, however, escaped two break points in the eighth game before leveling the set at 4-4. The experienced American then broke Eala’s serve and held to love to close out the opener.
But Eala refused to fade.
She stayed composed in the second set and held serve to move ahead, 2-1, before the worsening weather forced both players off the court.
Now, after an overnight reset, Eala returns with a chance to turn the match around—and complete one of the biggest title runs in Philippine tennis history.
One More Comeback for the Crown?
Eala has already taken down some of the biggest names in women’s tennis during her stunning Washington campaign.
She eliminated defending champion Leylah Fernandez, second seed Elina Svitolina and former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka to reach her first WTA 500 final. Her commanding 6-4, 6-2 semifinal victory over Osaka sent Filipino fans into a frenzy and set up the championship clash with Pegula.
Pegula is chasing her 12th career title and third trophy of the season after winning in Dubai and Charleston. She also defeated Eala in their previous meeting during the 2025 Miami semifinals.
But Eala has spent the entire week proving that rankings, reputations and past results do not decide the next match.
A victory would give the Filipina her first WTA Tour title and the biggest championship of her young career.
Regardless of the final result, Eala is projected to climb to a new career-high ranking of around world No. 24—a remarkable rise for the Philippines’ brightest tennis star.
The rain merely pressed pause.
The fight is not finished. The comeback is still possible. And Alex Eala remains one win away from history.
