Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Dennis Gasgonia

Dyan Castillejo

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17510285804761751028580764.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipina tennis star Alex Eala advanced to the finals of the Eastbourne Open by defeating Varvara Gracheva of France, 7-6 2-6 6-3, on Friday.  Owen Hammond /WTA"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Filipina tennis star Alex Eala advanced to the finals of the Eastbourne Open by defeating Varvara Gracheva of France, 7-6 2-6 6-3, on Friday.  <em>Owen Hammond /WTA</em> </span></span></span></div><p><strong>(3rd UPDATE) </strong>Alex Eala became the first Filipina tennis player in history to reach a WTA final after battling past Varvara Gracheva, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, in a grueling semifinal clash at the Lexus Eastbourne Open.</p><p>The 20-year-old Eala showed grit and composure as she overcame a second-set dip and a tough challenge from the Frenchwoman, who had once reached as high as No. 39 in the world.</p><p>Eala initially took a 2-1 lead in the opening set before Gracheva mounted a rally to seize a 4-5 advantage. The Filpina ace made adjustments and pocketed the first set, 7-5.</p><p>The second set saw the two locked in a 2-2 deadlock before Gracheva upped the ante to secure a 2-4 advantage before eventually taking the set 2-6. </p><p>Eala, who climbed to world No. 56 after the match, opened the third stanza with a 2-3 lead, until Gracheva caught up again and leveled the scores 3-3. But Eala maintained her composure and gained the upper hand to relaim the advantage, 5-3.</p><p>Prior the semis, the 20-year-old Eala won five consecutive matches in Eastbourne, including the two she won in the qualifying rounds against Zeynep Sonmez and Hailey Baptiste.</p><p>Eala then proceeded to take down Lucia Bronzetti in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, in the opening round of the main draw before  former Grand Slam champion Jelea Ostapenko via walkover in the second round, 0-6, 6-2, 3-2. </p><p>She eventually reached the semis via a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory over world no. 42 Dayana Yastremska in the quarterfinals. </p><p>It is her longest winning run since the Miami Open where she slew three former Grand Slam champions in Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek.</p><p>Eala will face Australian teen Maya Joint in the final set Saturday, June 28. </p><div><strong>HARD-FOUGHT WIN</strong></div><p>Eala&#x27;s hard-fought win over Gracheva marked her biggest career breakthrough on the professional tour to date.</p><p>“No, I&#x27;m like super, super happy because like it was a tough match,” Eala said after the match. “There were really tough moments where she was playing well and like sometimes couldn&#x27;t, you know, didn’t know like how to get out of it. So, yeah, I&#x27;m really happy with, you know, winning.”</p><p>Eala and Gracheva had met just two weeks ago in the first round of Nottingham qualifiers, where Eala also prevailed in three sets. </p><p>“Yeah, it was a challenge for both of us physically and mentally,” Eala added. “You know, we both came from qualis and, you know, she’s a really solid player. And had some moments where she was really dominating. So, you know, the fact that I was able to stay there and wait for my opportunity is a big achievement for me today.”</p><p>After her victory, Eala in a WTA interview she felt “overwhelmed with emotions.”</p><p>“Happiness, hunger, tiredness… there’s so many things going on in my head, just primarily trying to enjoy the win,” she said.</p><p>While her previous win over Gracheva gave her some reassurance, Eala stressed that every match brings new challenges.</p><p>“It gave me a bit of stability,” she explained. “Last week was in the first round qualis and now the semifinals—it’s a different story each with their own challenges. And it was just as tough as the last time.”</p><p>Asked about her mindset heading into the title match, Eala shared: “I think just focusing on myself. Whoever wins the semis today is going to be a great player. Both of them have a lot of experience and a lot of skill, obviously.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BE6XZALgSCE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a5euXXnSYiU??si=L1yl2WdiQ8GqtYUT&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Alex Eala became the first Filipina tennis player in history to reach a WTA final after battling past Varvara Gracheva, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, in a grueling semifinal clash at the Lexus Eastbourne Open.</p>

Alex Eala became the first Filipina tennis player in history to reach a WTA final after battling past Varvara Gracheva, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, in a grueling semifinal clash at the Lexus Eastbourne Open.

Tennis: Alex Eala ousts Varvara Gracheva, marches to Eastbourne Open finals

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Tennis: Alex Eala ousts Varvara Gracheva, marches to Eastbourne Open finals

Dennis Gasgonia,

Dyan Castillejo,

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 27, 2025 08:39 PM PHT

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Updated June 27, 2025 10:50 PM PHT

Read More:

Alex Eala

Eastbourne Open

Tennis

Varvara Gracheva

ABSNews

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