Alex Eala has secured her place in the Eastbourne Open final by overcoming France`s Varvara Gracheva in a tough three-set semifinal match held on Thursday. The young player achieved a gritty victory with a final score of 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.
This triumph marks the second occasion this year that Eala has defeated Gracheva, having previously bested her in the Nottingham Open qualifiers just two weeks prior. However, this latest win carries significantly more importance, as it propels the 20-year-old into uncharted territory for her career: reaching a WTA-level final. Eala is now one step away from claiming her inaugural championship title on the elite women`s professional tennis circuit.
The semifinal contest proved to be a challenging one. Eala began the opening set with strong momentum, quickly establishing a commanding 4-1 lead, primarily driven by her aggressive forehand shots and strategic variety in play. Gracheva, nonetheless, mounted a spirited response, winning four consecutive games to shift the momentum and take a 5-4 advantage. Despite facing pressure, Eala maintained her composure. She executed a crucial service break in the tenth game to regain control, ultimately closing out the set by winning three games in a row for a 7-5 score.
Gracheva rebounded effectively in the second set, taking full advantage of a noticeable dip in Eala`s rhythm and consistency. The French player capitalized on a series of unforced errors from Eala and comfortably secured the set with a dominant 6-2 scoreline, thereby leveling the match and forcing a decisive third set.
With a coveted spot in the final hanging in the balance, the third set evolved into a grueling test of endurance and strategy. Both competitors held their service games early on, resulting in a 3-3 tie after six tightly contested games. It was Eala who ultimately found a way to break the deadlock. She successfully broke Gracheva`s serve in the seventh game, employing a combination of angled returns and powerful baseline play, before holding her own serve to establish a 5-3 lead. Sensing the opportunity to clinch the match, Eala elevated her performance in the subsequent game, securing the victory with another service break. This win represents one of the most significant achievements of her young career.
Eala is now set to face Australia`s Maya Joint in the final. She will be aiming to cap off her impressive run at the Eastbourne Open by winning a historic title – an achievement that would make her the first Filipina tennis player ever to capture a WTA singles championship.
