MANILA — Alex Eala secured a place in the Birmingham Open final after defeating Swiss player Rebeka Masarova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, in a hard-fought semifinal match that stretched into the early hours of Sunday (Manila time).
The Filipino tennis standout entered the semifinal riding a wave of dominant performances, having won all her previous matches in straight sets. She appeared headed for another comfortable victory after taking the opening set convincingly.
Masarova, however, responded strongly in the second set and forced the match into a decider. The contest became even more challenging as multiple rain interruptions caused lengthy delays throughout the encounter.
Despite the disruptions and mounting pressure, Eala maintained her composure and eventually prevailed to reach her first championship match of the season.
“I’m really happy with the win. It was a great experience,” Eala said after the match.
She praised Masarova’s performance, acknowledging the difficulties she faced during the semifinal.
“It was a tough battle. You never know what can happen in a match like that. Rebeka played very well and pushed me into difficult situations,” she said.
Eala was leading 5-2 in the third set when rain forced another suspension. Upon resumption, she stayed focused and closed out the match despite a late challenge from Masarova.
The top seed will next face Czech player Nikola Bartunkova in the final. Bartunkova was also Eala’s doubles partner earlier in the tournament before the pair exited in the opening round.
Looking ahead to the title match, Eala expressed confidence despite the physical demands of the semifinal.
“Making it to the final is already a physical achievement. I feel good, and today was a great test. I’ll be ready for tomorrow,” she said.
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