TENNIS: Alex Eala wins first WTA singles title

Alexandra Eala made history on Monday by becoming the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour-level singles title, while Taylor Fritz captured his first title of the season as the rain-delayed Washington Open finals concluded.

Eala rallied from a set down to defeat top seed Jessica Pegula, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, after the women's final resumed with the Filipina trailing by one set but leading 2-1 in the second. In the men's final, third-seeded Fritz defeated Spain's Rafa Jodar, 7-6 (2), 6-4.

"I feel so much love. My first chance at a title knowing it won't be the last and already having achieved this milestone for my career," Eala said during the trophy ceremony. "I knew whatever happened after this match would have already been a win for me."

Pegula, who was seeking her third Washington Open title after victories in 2019 and 2021, could not halt Eala's momentum after play resumed.

Eala won 10 of the final 13 games, taking the second set before dominating the deciding set with her powerful left-handed serve and aggressive baseline play. Despite Pegula competing on home soil, the crowd increasingly rallied behind the Filipina.

"I want to congratulate Alex on an amazing tournament," Pegula said.

"To see how far you've come over the last couple of years when we first played, to see the amazing fans that follow you every place you go, it's not fun to play against but I think it's amazing."

The victory marked Eala's fifth straight win over a top-10 opponent, adding to previous victories over Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina (twice), and Iga Swiatek.

The historic triumph is expected to lift Eala to a career-high world No. 20 when the latest WTA rankings are released.

Meanwhile, Fritz secured his first championship of the year after overcoming 19-year-old Jodar in a match also postponed overnight because of rain.

Neither player faced a service break in the opening set before Fritz dominated the tiebreak. The American then earned an early break in the second set and held off a late challenge to close out the victory.

The title gives Fritz momentum heading into the Canadian Open, the final ATP Masters 1000 tournament before the U.S. Open, where he is expected to be among the top American contenders for the men's singles title. The United States has not produced a men's Grand Slam singles champion since Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open in 2003. -Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris and Christian Radnedge/Reuters