Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala secured a spot in her first final of the season after surviving a grueling, rain-delayed semifinal clash against Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova at the Birmingham Open.
The top-seeded Eala demonstrated immense composure on the grass courts of the Edgbaston Priory Club, ultimately defeating the resilient Swiss qualifier in a three-set thriller, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
Eala standardly dominated the opening set, coasting to a quick 6-2 lead. However, world No. 132 Masarova found her rhythm in the second set, matching Eala’s intensity and breaking the Filipina to force a deciding third set.
The final set turned into a true test of endurance, punctuated by two separate weather disruptions. Eala was leading 5-2 in the decider when a heavy downpour halted play for over an hour. When the players returned to Centre Court, Masarova managed to hold her serve to extend the match. Undeterred, the 21-year-old Filipina held her nerve, closing out the match with decisive forehand winners to seal the victory.
Game highlights;
With this hard-fought triumph, Eala advances to the second WTA 125 final of her career, where she will face her former doubles partner, Nikola Bartunkova of the Czech Republic. The 2026 Birmingham Open Finals will be this June 7th.
