Eala ends Czech curse, rules Birmingham
MANILA, Philippines — Czech-mate eluded. Czech curse exorcised. Title drought ended.
Alex Eala finally cracked the Czech code, outlasting Nikola Bartunkova, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, to rule the 2026 WTA125 Lexus Birmingham Open at Edgbaston Priory Club.
The 21-year-old Filipina squandered a set point in the opener but held firm in the final two sets to notch her first career win over a Czech player after 13 straight losses.
It’s Eala’s second professional title, following her breakthrough at the Guadalajara Open last September. The win is a timely boost ahead of Wimbledon, the sport’s grass-court crown jewel, set for June 29-July 12 in London. Eala is now 2-1 in WTA finals, with her lone loss coming at the Lexus Eastbourne Open on grass last year.
“I’m so honored to be lifting this trophy today, but lifting this trophy does not mean I’ll be among the greats yet. I’m motivated to keep working,” Eala said. “I’m grateful for the part this journey has played in mine.”
Top-seeded Eala showed resolve in her third match in 24 hours. She beat Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, in a rain-delayed semifinal Sunday morning, a day after ousting Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-3, 6-2, in the quarterfinals.
The final was no walk in the park. Eala led 5-3 in the decider, wasted two championship points, and was forced into a tense finish. She broke Bartunkova and survived three deuces, sealing the win with a crisp serve the Czech couldn’t return.
She won the match in two hours, 37 minutes.
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