Alex Eala set up a clash for the Eastbourne Open crown with Maya Joint of Australia on Saturday, June 28.
Alex Eala let it all out after delivering the game-sealing point in her hard-earned 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 win over Varvara Gracheva in the 2025 Eastbourne semifinals on Friday, June 27.
And then the tears uncontrollably leaked from her eyes as she made history by becoming the first-ever Filipina to reach a WTA final.
There, she will face Australia’s teen star Maya Joint, who ousted 2021 Roland Garros finalist and Tokyo 2020 mixed doubles champ Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in her side of the semis.
“I’m super happy because it was a tough match,” said Eala, between sobs.
[ALSO READ: Alex Eala drawn with Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejciková as injury threat looms for foe]
She admitted that she felt helpless at times in facing the former World No. 39, whom she just previously bested in the qualifiers of the Nottingham Open nearly two weeks ago.
“There were really tough moments where she was playing well, and sometimes, I didn’t know how to get out of it,” Eala said.
Eala and Gracheva engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle, with the Filipina ace pulling through in the end as she carried the hopes and dreams of millions of her countrymen on her shoulders.
After an extended opening salvo, Eala saw herself down 2-6 in the second set before regaining her bearings in the third and last frame.
“I’m really happy with winning,” said Eala.