ALEX Eala isn't letting herself celebrate just yet.
Reaching the first WTA 500 final of her career may be a major career milestone, but the Filipina insisted she remains locked in with one match standing between her and a historic first title at the highest levels of Tennis.
"I think I'm still locked in. Like, I don't think it's over yet," Eala said after defeating Naomi Osaka in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, in their DC Open semifinal before a huge crowd at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington.
READ Alex Eala rips Naomi Osaka, makes first WTA 500 final at DC Open
"One more match, I guess, but I'm super, super happy. I think I played really well and, of course, it was such a meaningful match against a great player. So I'm really happy to share the court with Naomi. Such an honor to share the court with her."
Even with the emotions yet to sink in, Eala already knows she'll need to carry the same mentality that brought her this far into Sunday's final against world No. 3 and home favorite Jess Pegula.
The world No. 28 hopes to settle an old score against the American top seed, who stopped her on her tracks in the semifinals of the Miami Open last year, with no less than her maiden WTA Tour-level title on the line.
She admitted it won't be easy, but believes she has earned her place in the finale after impressive victories over world No. 10 Elina Svitolina, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng and now former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka.
"She is such an amazing player, also for a reason. So I think it's going to be a really good match," she said of Pegula.
Which is why she isn't getting ahead of herself.
"I think I just have to trust myself. I'm in the final for a reason," Eala said.
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