Camille Naredo

Philippines's Alexandra Eala reacts after a point as she plays against US Iva Jovic during their women's singles match on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2026

Philippines's Alexandra Eala reacts after a point as she plays against US Iva Jovic during their women's singles match on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)

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French Open

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780754221523AFP__20260526__B42C8TW__v1__MidRes__TennisFraOpen2026.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Philippines&#x27;s Alexandra Eala reacts after a point as she plays against US Iva Jovic during their women&#x27;s singles match on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2026. Alain Jocard, AFP"/>Philippines&#x27;s Alexandra Eala reacts after a point as she plays against US Iva Jovic during their women&#x27;s singles match on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2026. Alain Jocard, AFP</div>MANILA (2nd UPDATE) -- Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is through to her first final of the season after taking down Swiss qualifier Rebeka Masarova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, in the semis of the Birmingham Open on Saturday.The match was twice halted due to rains, with the second break in action lasting over two hours. Eala was ahead 5-2 at the time, and when play resumed Masarova showed grit in holding to extend the match a little longer.But Eala took care of business on her serve, firing back-to-back forehand winners to claw her way out of an early hole before a Masarova error put her at match point.Eala dumped her next shot into the net for deuce, but Masarova returned the favor in the next rally before committing another miscue to confirm the win for the top-seeded Filipina.&quot;Really happy with the win today, to be in my first final of the year in Birmingham,&quot; Eala said after the match. &quot;It was such a tough battle today. Every time we got back and forth, we never knew what was going to happen. Rebeka played really well. She put me in some tough spots.&quot;Eala had to recover from a slow start before powering past Masarova in the opening frame, surging to a quick 6-2 victory.But the WTA No. 132 found her rhythm in the second set, breaking Eala in the fifth game then holding for a 4-2 advantage. Eala secured a crucial hold in the ensuing game to stay in the hunt, but squandered a 30-0 lead in the eighth game that allowed Masarova to stay in control, 5-3.Eala again held to stay in the hunt, but Masarova closed her out in the 10th game to send the match to a decider.The Filipina regrouped and took the first two games of the decider, only for Masarova to roar right back into the contest, 2-2.Eala held to love in the fifth game to regain the lead, before rain forced organizers to cover the court. When play resumed, Eala battled through two deuces to break Masarova for a 4-2 lead, with the qualifier committing three straight errors to hand the point to the Filipina.Eala then held for a 5-2 advantage, before rain again poured over Centre Court at the Edgbaston Priory Club.There will be little time to rest for Eala, who will play Czech Nikola Bartůňková -- her former doubles partner -- in the final tomorrow.&quot;I&#x27;m feeling good, I think today was a great test and I&#x27;ll be ready for tomorrow,&quot; the Filipina assured. -- with a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News<div> </div>

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is through to her first final of the season after taking down Swiss qualifier Rebeka Masarova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, in the semis of the Birmingham Open on Saturday.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is through to her first final of the season after taking down Swiss qualifier Rebeka Masarova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, in the semis of the Birmingham Open on Saturday.

Tennis: After rain delay, Eala ousts Masarova to reach Birmingham final

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Tennis: After rain delay, Eala ousts Masarova to reach Birmingham final

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 06, 2026 09:04 PM PHT

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Updated June 07, 2026 12:47 AM PHT

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tennis

Birmingham Open

Alex Eala

Rebeka Masarova

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