Sat Jun 28 11:10:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Alexandra Eala Makes History, Reaches WTA Final at Eastbourne**
EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND – In a stunning display of skill and determination, Alexandra Eala has become the first Filipina tennis player to ever reach a WTA final. The 20-year-old qualifier battled past Varvara Gracheva in a thrilling three-set semifinal at the Lexus Eastbourne Open, securing a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 victory.
Eala, currently ranked World No. 74, will face Australian Maya Joint in the final. Joint, World No. 51, advanced after defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-3. The final marks the youngest title match at Eastbourne since 1981.
“There were tough moments,” Eala said after her victory, “She’s a really solid player. The fact that I was able to stay there and wait for my opportunities was a big achievement for me.”
The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both players demonstrating remarkable resilience. Eala’s ability to capitalize on break points and maintain a high first-serve percentage proved crucial to her success.
Eala’s journey to the final has been nothing short of impressive. After bursting onto the scene earlier this year with a semifinal run in Miami, she has rediscovered her form on grass, navigating through qualifying rounds in both Nottingham and Eastbourne.
The final between Eala and Joint promises to be a captivating contest, with both players vying for the prestigious Eastbourne title.
First Piper 