Eala defeats Osaka to reach Washington final

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. Eala began the year outside the world's top 50 but rose to a career high of 24th in the rankings following her performance. The 21-year-old recorded six wins over top-10 players this season, including ending Iga Swiatek's Wimbledon title defense in July. Eala's Wimbledon run made her the first singles player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a major in the Open era and developed her a passionate fanbase.

In Washington, Eala defeated second seed Elina Svitolina and 2025 champion Leylah Fernandez before her victory over Osaka as she aimed for her first WTA Tour title. Pegula, who described Eala as "the future of the tour," had previously won their meeting in a tight three-set match in the Miami Open semi-finals last year. However, Eala's game has improved notably, particularly on her serve; she won 71% of first-serve points against Osaka and dropped only four points on her second serve. "I'm more well-rounded now. I'm physically a little bit better," Eala stated. "I played really well, had a great mentality and stayed locked in until the end."

In the meantime, Pegula came back from being 5-2 down in the first set to beat Russia's Diana Shnaider 7-5, 6-4 and reach her second Washington final. In the men's tournament, third seed Taylor Fritz faced 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, defeated Chile's Alejandro Tabilo 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-4.