Eala downs Osaka, extends giant-slaying run with maiden WTA 500 final

Raikkonnen Refol

Having already added Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina to her growing list of victims, Alex Eala sharpened her scythe once more to etch another chapter in Philippine tennis history.

The Filipina star continued her magical run at the WTA 500 Mubadala DC Open, pulling off another statement victory by shocking former world No.1 Naomi Osaka in straight sets, 6–4, 6–2, to book her first WTA 500 final ticket at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, D.C., Aug. 2.

The 21-year-old Eala wasted no time hunting down her prey, weathering an early challenge before unleashing commanding runs that left the four-time Grand Slam champion scrambling for answers as she moved within one win away from the coveted title.

“I am super, super happy. I played really well. It was such a meaningful match against a strong player like Naomi [Osaka],” Eala said.

It was a nip-and-tuck affair early in the first set, with Osaka taking the lead at 4–3 before Eala turned up the heat and reeled off three consecutive games to close out the opener.

The Filipina lefty carried the momentum in the second frame, zooming to a 2–0 lead before Osaka clawed her way back after saving multiple break points to keep within striking distance at 3–2.

However, Eala soon channeled her killer instincts.

Eala capitalized on Osaka’s unforced errors combined with her own aggressive shot-making to engineer another three-game burst that slammed the door shut on the Japanese star’s campaign.

With the win, Philippine bet Eala is now headed to the championship match, where she will seek redemption against world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, who defeated her in the Miami Open semifinals earlier this year, when they clash on Aug. 3.