MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala’s historic Mubadala DC Open title gave her more than her first WTA trophy. The demanding run also provided valuable experience as she continues to develop her game against the world’s top players.
Eala defeated world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, on Monday in Washington to become the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour title.
The 21-year-old Filipino faced a difficult path to the championship, defeating reigning Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, world No. 9 Elina Svitolina and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka before beating top seed Pegula.
Eala called the draw a “very steep hill,” but said playing several high-level matches in succession helped accelerate her development.
“I think to have this many matches at this very high level [against] high-caliber players, it helps me obviously just gain experience and more court time at that [high] level,” Eala said.
She added that the experience could help improve both her consistency and overall level of play.
Eala also showed progress in an area that has drawn scrutiny throughout her career: her serve.
She won 38 of 45 points, or 84.4%, behind her first serve against Pegula and won all 16 points on her first serve in the second set. In the third set, she won nine of 11 first-serve points and three of four points behind her second serve.
Her return game also remained effective. Eala won 20 of 46 points played behind Pegula’s first serve and converted five of nine break-point opportunities.
Pegula acknowledged the difficulty of facing Eala, particularly her left-handed serve.
“She’s beaten quite a few top players this year, including myself and she’s tricky to play against,” Pegula said.
Eala said the matches in Washington also helped her assess her physical progress.
“I think I ended the tournament in better shape than I started,” she said. “Each match I kept improving and kept learning things about myself.”
The title has given Eala confidence as she moves into the next part of the North American hardcourt swing, with the Canadian Open and US Open ahead.
She said the championship also showed that the work she has put into training and preparation is beginning to translate into her matches.