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> Alex Eala’s </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 </strong>in the United Kingdom on Sunday night (Philippine time).</p><p>Alex emerged victorious in a thrilling three-set battle against<strong> Czech Republic’s Nikola Bartůňková, </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&#x27;s Awarding | Photo from @lta</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The victory carried even more significance as it became Alex&#x27;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&#x27;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’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew</strong>, 6-3, 6-2. </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&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A729088%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" 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&#x27;s idol, <strong>Maria Sharapova</strong>, who won the title back-to-back in 2004 and 2005.</p><p>Asked about joining the list of Birmingham champions, Alex expressed her gratitude. “It sounds really beautiful, of course. All those names that you’ve mentioned are tennis greats. And I am so honored to be lifting this trophy today.”</p><p>Despite the achievement, Alex was quick to point out that she still has a long journey ahead. “I’m grateful for the part that this trophy has played in my journey,” 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. “It’s one of those days I wish we could both win, and of course, this match was incredible. I think it was anyone’s game,” she said.</p><p>She continued, “So, congratulations, congratulations to your team. I’ll see you next week or the week after.”</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>‘A little bit of luck and intention’</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>“I like to say that home is people and not a place.<em> Kaya mga kababayan, maraming salamat sa suport</em><em>a. </em><em>Ang dami ninyo ngayon, maraming, maraming salamat</em>,” 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>“And of course, to everyone who’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.”</p><p>As she reflected on the tightly contested final, Alex admitted that determination and a bit of fortune helped her secure the victory. “It was a really tight moment, and I knew that if I didn’t go for it, Nikola would go for it.”</p><p>“It’s one of those days where a little bit of luck and intention [were] what got me through,” 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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