TENNIS: Pegula completes comeback, sets up DC Open final against Eala

Jessica Pegula recovered from a slow start to defeat Russia’s Diana Shnaider 7-5, 6-4 and book a place in the DC Open final against Alexandra Eala.

The top-seeded American appeared to be in trouble when Shnaider raced to a 5-2 lead in the opening set. Pegula, however, responded with five consecutive games, turning the match around before completing the victory in 87 minutes.

She will face Eala in the championship match after the Filipino produced an impressive 6-4, 6-2 victory over four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.

Pegula, the world No. 3, is seeking her third title of the year and the 12th of her career. The 32-year-old has already lifted trophies in Dubai and Charleston this season and will now attempt to triumph again at the tournament where she captured her first WTA title in 2019.

Shnaider entered the semifinal bidding for a sixth WTA title and made a commanding start. The 22-year-old French Open semifinalist controlled the early exchanges and moved within one game of taking the opening set.

Pegula began her comeback by holding serve for 3-5 before breaking Shnaider in the ninth game. She then held to love to level the set at 5-5, applying increasing pressure as the Russian’s early momentum began to fade.

Another break gave Pegula a 6-5 advantage, and she served out the set when Shnaider sent a forehand wide.

Pegula maintained her improved rhythm in the second set. She broke for a 3-2 lead and added another break to move 5-2 ahead. Although Shnaider briefly delayed the finish, the American eventually closed out the contest with a forehand winner.

“I just capitalized on a couple of areas,” Pegula said. “I think I started just trying to find the rhythm on the return. I didn’t think I was that far off.

“So, just trying to pick up my energy and, again, try and be a little bit more aggressive.”

Waiting for Pegula in the final will be an increasingly confident Eala, who moved within one victory of her first WTA title by delivering a composed performance against Osaka.

The 21-year-old was appearing in her third semifinal of the season, having reached the last four with a victory over second seed Elina Svitolina. That result was Eala’s sixth win of the year against a top-10 opponent and continued a breakthrough stretch that also included a run to the fourth round at Wimbledon last month.

Against Osaka, Eala remained patient during a competitive opening set. The players were level at 4-4 before Eala earned the decisive break in the ninth game. She then held serve to love to take the set and seize control of the match.

Eala carried that momentum into the second set, breaking Osaka in the opening game. She struck again to move 4-2 ahead and never allowed the former world No. 1 a route back into the contest.

Eala completed the victory without dropping a set during her run to the final, underlining the consistency and confidence that have defined her week in Washington.

“I think I played really well and, of course, it’s such a meaningful match against a great player,” Eala said. “So, really happy to share the court with Naomi.

“I’m in the final for a reason. I just have to trust myself.

“She is such an amazing player,” Eala added of Pegula. “I think it’s going to be a really good match.”

The final will bring together the tournament’s top seed and an emerging Filipina star enjoying one of the strongest runs of her career. Pegula will be chasing another Washington title, while Eala will attempt to complete her breakthrough week by claiming her first WTA crown.