Alex Eala stuns Naomi Osaka, clinches DC Open final berth

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala booked her place in the final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open after dismantling third-seeded Naomi Osaka, 6-4, 6-2, in their first career meeting on Sunday.

Eala reached the first WTA 500 final of her career on the strength of three consecutive straight-set victories in Washington. She now faces world No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the championship match.

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She showed no fear against Osaka, who won all four of her Grand Slam titles on hard courts, breaking early for a 2-1 lead in the opening set.

Osaka won three of the next four games to move ahead 4-3, but Eala, who has produced remarkable comebacks throughout the tournament, closed out the set by winning three straight games after racing to 40-0 in each.

Eala, currently ranked world No. 28, carried the momentum into the second set, opening with a break before holding to love a 2-0 lead. Osaka stayed within striking distance, trailing at 3-2 after saving multiple break points, but Eala responded with a massive hold before breaking serve once more.

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The Filipino tennis star raced to a 40-0 lead while serving for the match in the eighth game and, despite Osaka threatening to force deuce, closed it out in straight sets.

“I’m super, super happy. I think I played really well. And of course, it’s such a meaningful match against a great player,” Eala said. So, really happy to share the court with Naomi.”

Eala took advantage of Osaka’s error-filled outing, with the Japanese star committing 18 unforced errors to Eala’s 10.

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“I guess it was just the way I approached today’s match. You could never count her out, you know. And like I said, I made it a point to be so locked in,” Eala said.

Eala continued her impressive run after a tremendous grass-court season, taking down Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, second-seeded Elina Svitolina and now Osaka to reach only her second WTA Tour final since the 2025 Lexbourne Open.

She now has a chance to capture her first WTA Tour title when she faces Pegula.

“I think I just have to trust myself. I’m in the final for a reason. She (Pegula) is such an amazing player also for a reason, So, I think it’s going to be a really good match,” Eala said.