In 2025, Alex Eala was eliminated in the first round of the Birmingham Open by an opponent from the Czech Republic. A year later, she returned to the same tournament and emerged as champion.
The top-seeded Eala overcame a one-set deficit to defeat fifth seed Nikola Bartůňková of the Czech Republic, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, in the final of the 2026 Lexus Birmingham Open on Sunday evening (Manila time) in England.
Eala and Bartůňková had partnered earlier in the week in doubles but bowed out in the opening round to the tournament’s second seeds.
Any bond formed during that brief partnership was set aside as they battled for the singles title at the Centre Court of the Edgbaston Priory Club.
Aside from a few lapses in her service game that led to four double faults, Eala was in sharp form, particularly with her groundstrokes early in the match. Bartůňková matched her intensity, producing high-quality rallies that defined the opening set.
The first breakthrough came in the eleventh game, when Bartůňková secured the opening service break to move ahead 6-5. She then held serve to take the first set.
Bartůňková carried her momentum into the second set, breaking Eala in the opening game.
Sensing danger, Eala responded immediately with a break of her own to level at 1-1.
The Filipina then began to dictate play, using angled shot-making and consistent depth to push Bartůňková from corner to corner rather than relying purely on power.
Eala broke away from a 2-2 deadlock to surge ahead 5-2. Bartůňková held serve in the eighth game, but Eala closed out the second set in the ninth game after 38 minutes to force a deciding set.
The third set showcased Eala’s resilience. Down 1-2 and facing double break points, she fought back to deuce and eventually held serve to level at 2-2. She then overcame a 0-30 deficit in the fifth game to break Bartůňková and take control, leading 5-3.
Bartůňková refused to fade, clawing back to 5-5 to extend the contest.
But Eala held her ground, breaking in the eleventh game before serving out the match to clinch the title in a classic that lasted two hours and 38 minutes.
The victory carried several milestones for Eala.
It marked her first win over a Czech opponent in 14 meetings and her second WTA 125 title, following her triumph at the 2025 Guadalajara 125 Open.
She is also projected to rise to world No. 33, a timely boost heading into the WTA 500 HSBC Championships next week and the Wimbledon Championships later this month.
