Alex Eala falters vs Maya Joint in Eastbourne Open finals

Tennis - Eastbourne Open - June 28, 2025 Philippines' Alexandra Eala reacts during her women's singles final against Australia's Maya Joint Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Alex Eala put on a gallant stand but ultimately bowed to Maya Joint of Australia, 4-6, 6-1, 6(10)-7(12) in a grueling 2025 Eastbourne Open finals showdown on Saturday in the United Kingdom.

The 19-year-old Joint thus denied the Filipina tennis star her first-ever WTA Tour crown, while also winning her second pro title following her Morocco Open clay court victory just last May.

Nevertheless, it was still a historic run from the Philippine ace.

Joint flexed her muscle right away after taking an early 3-0 lead in Set 1 before extending that to a 5-2 cushion. Eala then staged a fightback by winning the next two games, but an attack error late in Game 10 allowed Joint to draw first blood in the battle of two young guns.

In Set 2, the 20-year-old Eala took advantage of a frustrated Joint, who was seen throwing her racket when Eala had a huge lead in Game 6, which then allowed the Filipina netter to reach the set point at 5-1.

Joint continued to commit errors as Eala leveled the game at one set apiece by eking out a dominant 6-1 victory in Set 2 and dragging the Australian to a decider.

Neither player was willing to back down as Eala and Joint reached a 6-all stalemate that triggered a tiebreak.

Eala would secure four championship points, the last of which was when she found the corner off a forehand play for a 10-9 lead.

However, she went wide on her attack in the next two plays as Joint seized her own championship point at 11-10 en route to the hard-fought victory.

Despite the loss, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Eala made the country proud.

''We all watched you make history as the first Filipino to reach a WTA 250 singles final. That alone is already a victory for our country and for the millions of Filipinos who stand proudly behind you,'' Marcos said in a statement.

''You’ve made us all proud! Keep going, your best is yet to come.''

Eala's tournament recap:

Qualifying draw:

Main draw:

—JKC/VBL, GMA Integrated News

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