LAST time Alex Eala played in a WTA 125 final, she brought home the Philippines’ first-ever title on the tour.
Now, after making history in Guadalajara, Mexico last year, the 21-year-old Filipina returns to another WTA 125 championship match — this time on grass at the Birmingham Open in Great Britain.
The world No. 37 and tournament top seed powered through Priscilla Hon, Alina Charaeva, Mananchaya Sawangkaew, and Rebeka Masarova in her first tournament on the surface this season to book a shot at the trophy.
READ: Eala outlasts Swiss, delays to make Birmingham Classic finals
Awaiting Eala in Sunday night’s 6:30 p.m. final is former doubles partner Nikola Bartunkova of Czechia.
The 20-year-old Bartunkova, ranked 69th in the world and seeded fifth, stands as the final hurdle in Eala’s bid for a second WTA 125 crown.
Bartunkova advanced to the championship round after defeating Harriet Dart, Gabriela Knutson, Mika Stojsavljevic, and Ashlyn Krueger.
From teammates to opponents
Just last June 1, Eala and Bartunkova teamed up in the women’s doubles draw of the same tournament, but bowed out in their opening match in three sets.
Sunday’s clash will mark the first singles meeting between the two rising stars in their young professional careers.
Eala owns strong credentials on grass, having finished runner-up in last year’s WTA250 Lexus Eastbourne Open — still her best result on the surface.
The Birmingham Open is Eala’s 15th tournament of the year and only her second WTA125 appearance this season after reaching the quarterfinals of the Philippine Women’s Open, Manila’s first-ever hosting of the event.
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