Pegula: Why Eala is So Tricky to Play

Twenty-one-year-old Alexandra Eala defeated Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 in the final of the Mubadala DC Open on August 3, 2026, to claim her maiden WTA Tour-level title. Eala became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA title, capping a historic week in which she eliminated the top three seeds — Pegula, Elina Svitolina, and Naomi Osaka — as well as defending champion Leylah Fernandez and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen. Pegula credited the left-handed Eala's success to her passion, pure shotmaking, and disorienting down-the-line drives.