Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates after winning a women's singles match against Naomi Osaka of Japan on day six of the Mubadala DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 01, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn, Getty Images/AFP
(UPDATED) Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala marched to the finals of the Mubadala DC Open after pulling off a tremendous 6-4, 6-2 win over Japan's Naomi Osaka, early Sunday (Manila time).
World No. 28 Eala was superb against the four-time Grand Slam champion, outplaying Osaka in an hour and 16 minutes to advance to her first final at the WTA 500 level.
"I think I played really well and of course, such a meaningful match against a great player. Really happy to share the court against Naomi," said Eala afterward.
In the first set, Eala took a 2-1 lead by breaking when Osaka sent a backhand wide but Osaka broke back in the fourth game when Eala netted a forehand volley.
Tied at 4-4 in the first set, Osaka saved three break points but committed back-to-back wayward forehands that gave Eala the pivotal 5-4 lead. The Filipina went on to hold to love to seize the opener in impressive fashion.
Momentum was firmly on Eala's side as Osaka committed two double-faults in the first game before the Filipina scored another love hold for a 2-0 lead. Osaka saved four break points in the fifth game for a crucial hold that kept her in the hunt, 3-2, but Eala recovered with a comfortable hold on her own serve to stay in control.
Osaka surrendered another break in the seventh game, sending a backhand into the net to put Eala on the brink. The Filipina weathered a last rally from the former world No. 1, as Osaka saved two match points before Eala wrapped up the win.
"I could never count her out," Eala said of Osaka. "I had to be so locked in, and I made it a point to be so locked in, which is why until now, I'm still in that mode of that competition. I need time to let it sink in."
It was the latest in a string of superb results for Eala, who had dethroned erstwhile defending champion Leylah Fernandez in the second round before stunning second-seed Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals -- her sixth win against a Top 10 opponent this season.
READ: Alex Eala stuns Svitolina, advances to DC Open semis
This is Eala's second career WTA final, having lost in heartbreaking fashion last year in Eastbourne.
She is set to play top-seeded Jessica Pegula, who defeated Russia's Diana Shnaider 7-5, 6-4 in their own semifinal showdown earlier in the day.
Pegula had beaten Eala when they played in the Miami Open last year, in what was the Filipina's breakout tournament.
"It's going to be a battle," Pegula said. "Alex, I'm a big fan of her. She's the future of the tour and she's already here."
"I just have to trust myself. I'm in the final for a reason," Eala said, fo her part. "She [Pegula] is such an amazing player also for a reason so I think it's gonna be a really good match."
Osaka, ranked 13th, was thwarted in her bid for an eighth career WTA title and first since taking the 2021 Australian Open.
-- with a report from Agence France-Presse