Filipino top seed Alexandra Eala captured the Birmingham Open title after a hard-fought victory over fifth seed Nikola Bartunkova of the Czech Republic, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, on Sunday night at the Edgbaston Priory Club in the United Kingdom.
Eala's Milestone Win
The World No. 37 secured her second WTA 125 title, following her triumph at the 2025 Guadalajara Open in Mexico, and her first on grass court. Reflecting on the decisive moments, Eala said, "It was a really tight moment and I knew that if I didn't go for it, Nikki would go for it. It's one of those days where a little bit of luck and intention was what got me through."
Doubles Exit
Eala and Bartunkova also teamed up in doubles but fell to the second-seeded British pair of Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden, 4-6, 6-2, 11-9, in the first round.
Path to the Final
Eala's journey to the championship included a semifinal win over Swiss qualifier Rebeka Masarova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. In the quarterfinals, she defeated Thai player Mananchaya Sawangkaew, 6-3, 6-2. Eala had previously beaten Sawangkaew in the Southeast Asian Games final last December, 6-1, 6-2, ending the Philippines' 26-year gold medal drought in women's singles.
Earlier rounds saw Eala dispatch Australian Priscilla Hon, 6-0, 6-2, in the Round of 32 and Russian Alina Charaeva, 6-2, 7-5, in the Round of 16.
Bartunkova's Run
World No. 69 Bartunkova reached the final by defeating Dart (3-6, 6-3, 7-5) in the first round, compatriot Gabriela Knutson (6-4, 7-6 (4)) in the second, British player Mika Stojsavljevic (6-4, 6-7(8), 7-6(4)) in the quarterfinals, and American Ashlyn Krueger (6-4, 7-6(7)) in the semifinals.
