Alexandra rallies from a set down, bags second WTA 125 title ahead of Wimbledon
By Emille Blanc
MANILA — Alexandra Eala continued her remarkable rise in world tennis, battling back from a set down to capture the Birmingham Open title after defeating Czech fifth seed Nikola Bartunkova, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, on Sunday night at the Edgbaston Priory Club in the United Kingdom.
The thrilling victory earned the Filipino star her second WTA 125 championship and her first career title on grass, further strengthening her credentials as one of the sport’s fastest-rising young talents ahead of Wimbledon.
Ranked World No. 37, Eala displayed nerves of steel in a fiercely contested final, overcoming several tense moments in the deciding set before sealing the championship with a determined finish.
“It was a really tight moment and I knew that if I didn’t go for it, Nikki would go for it,” Eala said after the match. “It’s one of those days where a little bit of luck and intention was what got me through.”
The victory adds another significant achievement to Eala’s growing list of accomplishments. Her previous WTA 125 title came at the Guadalajara Open in Mexico in 2025, but the Birmingham triumph carries added significance as it marks her breakthrough success on grass — a surface often considered one of the toughest to master.
Eala’s road to the championship was impressive from start to finish.
She opened her campaign with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory over Australia’s Priscilla Hon before overcoming Russia’s Alina Charaeva, 6-2, 7-5, in the Round of 16.
The Filipina then cruised past Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-3, 6-2, in the quarterfinals before surviving a tough semifinal test against Swiss qualifier Rebeka Masarova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
Her victory over Sawangkaew rekindled memories of their meeting in the Southeast Asian Games women’s singles final in Thailand last December, where Eala also emerged victorious, ending the Philippines’ 26-year gold-medal drought in women’s tennis.
Ironically, Eala and Bartunkova were partners in the doubles draw earlier in the tournament. The pair, however, failed to advance after suffering a narrow first-round defeat to British second seeds Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden, 4-6, 6-2, 11-9.
Bartunkova entered the final riding a strong run of her own. The Czech standout defeated Britain’s Harriet Dart in three sets during the opening round before dispatching compatriot Gabriela Knutson in straight sets.
She followed those victories with hard-fought wins over British prospect Mika Stojsavljevic and American Ashlyn Krueger to book her place in the championship match.
Despite Bartunkova’s impressive form, Eala proved too resilient when the title was on the line.
The Birmingham crown not only boosts Eala’s confidence heading into the grass-court season’s biggest events but also reinforces her status as the Philippines’ brightest hope in international tennis.
With another prestigious trophy added to her collection, Eala continues to make history and inspire a new generation of Filipino athletes dreaming of success on the world stage.
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