Alex Eala owns a remarkable distinction.
Among all active players, she has the highest winning percentage against top-10 opponents.
With eight wins in 12 matches, she has defeated every top-10 player she has faced except one — world No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the United States, who ended Eala’s historic 2025 Miami Open run with a 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3 semifinal victory.
Eala is now enjoying another impressive run, this time at the WTA Mubadala Citi DC Open, and once again, Pegula stands in her way.
The two will meet in the championship match on Monday at 12:00 a.m. Philippine time.
Both Eala and Pegula have been in superb form in Washington, each dropping just one set en route to the final.
Top seed Pegula received a first-round bye before recovering from a slow start to defeat Poland’s Magdalena Frech, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0, in the second round.
She followed that with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over world No. 20 Anna Kalinskaya of Russia in the quarterfinals before eliminating another Russian, fourth seed Diana Shnaider, 7-5, 6-4, in the semifinals.
Eala also had to rally from a set down in her opening-round match, overcoming former world No. 3 Zheng Qinwen of China, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
She then avenged an earlier loss this year by ousting defending champion Leylah Fernandez of Canada, 6-2, 7-5, in the second round.
In the quarterfinals, Eala defeated Ukrainian world No. 10 and second seed Elina Svitolina for the second time this year, again by a 6-3, 6-4 scoreline.
She capped her run to the final with another commanding performance, dispatching former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan, 6-4, 6-2.
Eala recognizes the challenge Pegula presents but also believes she has grown significantly since their last meeting.
“I would say all the aspects (of my game) have improved at the same pace. But then again, all players are evolving. Improvement is not a linear thing. Every match is different, and I am sure Jess has also changed so much in these 18 months,” Eala said.
The 32-year-old Pegula, daughter of billionaire tycoons Terry and Kim Pegula, who own the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League and the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League , has established herself as one of the world’s elite players over the past few years despite not yet winning a Grand Slam singles title. Her best finish remains a runner-up showing at the 2024 US Open.
She has also been one of the WTA Tour’s most consistent performers this season, capturing the WTA 1000 Dubai Tennis Championships in February and the WTA 500 Charleston Open in April.
Pegula may not possess the explosive groundstrokes of Osaka or the booming serve of Zheng, but she presents a different kind of challenge.
She is known for her impeccable timing, striking the ball cleanly and flat while generating effortless pace that allows her to produce winners from deep in the court. She also mixes in a variety of shots, using changes in pace and placement to disrupt her opponents’ rhythm.
Against Eala, she will likely try to stretch the Filipina from corner to corner and force her into uncomfortable positions.
An outstanding all-around player, Pegula has no obvious weaknesses to exploit. She is also renowned for her quickness and sharp reflexes, skills honed through years of doubles competition. She reached the 2022 French Open doubles final alongside Coco Gauff.
Eala, however, has repeatedly shown that her confidence and self-belief are not easily shaken — not by the world’s best players, nor by the partisan crowd expected to rally behind the hometown favorite at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center.
There is no doubt Eala faces the toughest challenge of her week. To dethrone Pegula, she will need to maintain her highest level from the opening point to the last, matching the American’s consistency while taking advantage of every opportunity to seize control of the rallies.
Expect long, high-quality exchanges and intelligent shot-making from both players in what promises to be a gripping final that could ultimately be decided by whoever better dictates the pace and rhythm of the match.
