Lance Joseph Martinez

Alex Eala Bags Second WTA 125 Trophy, Says ‘Luck and Intention’ Helped Seal the Win

Article (news)

<p>Another milestone has been added to<strong>&nbsp;Alex Eala&rsquo;s&nbsp;</strong>growing tennis career after the Filipina star captured her second <strong>WTA 125</strong> title, this time on grass, at the <strong>Lexus Birmingham Open&nbsp;</strong>in the United Kingdom on Sunday night (Philippine time).</p><p>Alex emerged victorious in a thrilling three-set battle against<strong>&nbsp;Czech Republic&rsquo;s Nikola Bartůňkov&aacute;,&nbsp;</strong>5-7, 6-3, 7-5, to claim the championship trophy. The triumph marks her second WTA 125 crown following her title run at the <strong>Guadalajara 125 Open</strong> in Mexico in 2025.</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780844770791lta_1780844445_3914329301696906260_499798996.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Alex Eala during the Birmingham Open&#39;s Awarding | Photo from @lta</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><p>The victory carried even more significance as it became Alex&#39;s first-ever win against a Czech opponent in her senior career. Before the Birmingham final, the Filipina standout held an 0-12 record against Czech players. The championship also serves as Alex&#39;s first title of the 2026 season.</p><p>Her road to the final was far from easy. In the quarterfinals, she defeated <strong>Thailand&rsquo;s Mananchaya Sawangkaew</strong>, 6-3, 6-2.&nbsp;</p><p>She then booked her place in the title match after overcoming <strong>Swiss</strong> qualifier <strong>Rebeka Masarova</strong>,<strong></strong> 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, in a semifinal encounter that was interrupted twice by rain, including a delay that lasted more than two hours.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZSbwCtiiE8/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A729088%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>A trophy won by legends</strong></div><p>During the awards ceremony, tournament officials highlighted several tennis greats who had previously lifted the Birmingham trophy, including Alex&#39;s idol, <strong>Maria Sharapova</strong>, who won the title&nbsp;back-to-back&nbsp;in 2004 and 2005.</p><p>Asked about joining the list of Birmingham champions, Alex expressed her gratitude. &ldquo;It sounds really beautiful, of course. All those names that you&rsquo;ve mentioned are tennis greats. And I am so honored to be lifting this trophy today.&rdquo;</p><p>Despite the achievement, Alex was quick to point out that she still has a long journey ahead. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m grateful for the part that this trophy has played in my journey,&rdquo; she added, emphasizing that the win motivates her to continue improving.</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780844909472lta_1780844445_3914329301671757003_499798996.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @lta</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><p>The 20-year-old also had warm words for Nikola, who was once her doubles partner. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s one of those days I wish we could both win, and of course, this match was incredible. I think it was anyone&rsquo;s game,&rdquo; she said.</p><p>She continued, &ldquo;So, congratulations, congratulations to your team. I&rsquo;ll see you next week or the week after.&rdquo;</p><p>Alex also took time to acknowledge her coaching staff and team for helping her throughout the tournament, as well as her family, who supported her from home.</p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>&lsquo;A little bit of luck and intention&rsquo;</strong></div><p>Before ending her speech, Alex gave a heartfelt shoutout to the Filipino fans who filled the stands and supported her throughout the week.</p><p>&ldquo;I like to say that home is people and not a place.<em>&nbsp;Kaya mga kababayan, maraming salamat sa suport</em><em>a.&nbsp;</em><em>Ang dami ninyo ngayon, maraming, maraming salamat</em>,&rdquo; she said.</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780844935150lta_1780844445_3914329301487243452_499798996.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @lta</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><p>She also thanked everyone who contributed to the successful staging of the tournament.</p><p>&ldquo;And of course, to everyone who&rsquo;s come throughout the week and withstood the weather and all of that. And the organizers, the ball kids, umpires, everyone who made this possible. Thank you.&rdquo;</p><p>As she reflected on the tightly contested final, Alex admitted that determination and a bit of fortune helped her secure the victory. &ldquo;It was a really tight moment, and I knew that if I didn&rsquo;t go for it, Nikola would go for it.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s one of those days where a little bit of luck and intention [were] what got me through,&rdquo; Alex concluded.</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780844976190lta_1780844445_3914329301873121023_499798996.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @lta</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><p>Lead photo from <strong>@lta</strong></p>

<p>Alex Eala continues her remarkable rise in tennis after capturing her second WTA 125 title, conquering the Birmingham Open and securing her first grass-court trophy in a breakthrough championship run.</p>

Alex Eala continues her remarkable rise in tennis after capturing her second WTA 125 title, conquering the Birmingham Open and securing her first grass-court trophy in a breakthrough championship run.

Alex Eala Bags Second WTA 125 Trophy, Says ‘A Little Bit of Luck and Intention’ Helped Seal the Win

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Alex Eala Bags Second WTA 125 Trophy, Says ‘A Little Bit of Luck and Intention’ Helped Seal the Win

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published June 07, 2026 11:20 PM PHT

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Updated June 07, 2026 11:23 PM PHT

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