Eala beats Osaka to reach Washington final
· Yahoo Sports
Alexandra Eala continued her strong season with an impressive victory over Naomi Osaka to reach the Washington Open final.
The Filipina beat Japan's four-time major champion Osaka 6-4 6-2 to set up a final against world number three Jessica Pegula.
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Eala began the year outside the world's top 50 but will now rise to a career high of 24th in the rankings.
The 21-year-old has registered six wins over top-10 players this season, including ending Iga Swiatek's Wimbledon title defence in July.
Eala became the first singles player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a major in the Open era with her Wimbledon run, and has developed a passionate fanbase.
In Washington, Eala beat second seed Elina Svitolina and 2025 champion Leylah Fernandez before sweeping past Osaka as she bids for a first WTA Tour title.
American Pegula described Eala as "the future of the tour" before their final on Sunday.
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Pegula won their previous meeting, a tight three-set match in the Miami Open semi-finals last year.
However, Eala has improved since then, notably on her serve. She won 71% of first-serve points against Osaka, and dropped only four points behind her second.
"I'm more well-rounded [now]. I'm physically a little bit better," Eala said.
"I played really well, had a great mentality and stayed locked in until the end."
Pegula came back from 5-2 down in the first set to beat Russia's Diana Shnaider 7-5 6-4 and reach a second Washington final.
In the men's tournament, third seed Taylor Fritz will face rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar in the final.
World number 10 Fritz hit 13 aces to beat fellow American Brandon Nakashima 6-3 3-6 6-3.
Jodar - who will break into the world's top 20 after starting the year ranked 165th - beat Chile's Alejandro Tabilo 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 6-4.