ATP/WTA: Eala strikes back for Washington milestone

That mantra became fulfilled in Washington on Monday, when a rain delayed final witnessed Alex Eala’s establishment as a top-tier player.

The WTA 500 silverware showdown against world No.3 Jessica Pegula was halted by storms on Sunday with the American up 6-4, 1-2. Back on court, Eala’s fearless injection of pace snatched away glory 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 to write yet more history for her country as the first Filipino player to clinch a WTA singles title.

The 21-year-old hailed a “crazy 24 hours,” which culminated with the left-hander on her knees, celebrating the maiden WTA tiumph.

“At the beginning of the week, there is no way I would have thought that I would be holding this trophy,” said Eala. “These things kind of creep up on you, and I hold these moments really close to me.”

The Filipina history maker has now prevailed in her past five Top 10 clashes and two of those were achieved in Washington against No.2 seed Elina Svitolina, as well as Pegula. On top of that, Eala also dispatched No.3 seed Naomi Osaka and defending champion Leylah Fernandez en route to this breakout success.

“The draw was a very steep hill,“ said the newly stated world No.20. “Coming into the tournament, I knew that the competition was super strong and my draw was quite tough. Every match was just a different set of obstacles. So I'm really, really proud. I think I encountered my fair share of obstacles this week.

“I think I ended the tournament in better shape than I started. I think each match I kept improving and kept learning things about myself. So definitely gives me a lot of confidence, and it's just really nice to see all the things that I have been working on off court or during training being implemented in matches.“

Fritz launches into NYC chat

Stateside superstar Taylor Fritz ruled the capital too to lift his first title above the ATP 250 level since Tokyo 2022.

Following on from Eala’s heroics, the world No.9 was forced to quell another soaring youngster in the shape of Spanish teenage sensation Rafael Jodar.

Fritz posted a 7-6(2), 6-4 scoreboard for the ATP 500 trophy and 11th title of his career to kick start perfect US Open preparations.

The 28-year-old, who saved match point across the net from countryman Alex Michelsen in the quarter-finals, paid tribute to his opponent during the trophy ceremony.

Jodar is one of the hottest prospects on the ATP Tour, cracking into the Top 20 after yet another stellar week of action.

“It was a really tough final and you are having an amazing season and at 19, on your first season on Tour, what you and your dad (coach too) are doing is just incredible,” Fritz said to Jodar. “You are so young and are only going to get so much better.”

Pure joy for Gea

Arthur Gea had conjured up just three tour-level victories to his name prior to landing in Mexico.

However, on Saturday night the 21-year-old dismissed the reigning champion Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4 for his maiden title.

“I didn't know how I would win this week,“ said the Frenchman. “I was really happy every day to win one more match, one more, then one more. And I have finished with a trophy, so it was an amazing week.“

Competing in his first ATP final, Gea has now been rewarded with a Top 100 debut at a current ranking of No.82.

Dream debut for victorious Liutova

Rewind to US Open 2022 and a 12-year-old Kristina Liutova caught her two tennis idols Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal on court.

Four years later and the teenager is making steps to join that Hall of Fame duo at the very top of the sport.

Ranked No.229 and having to navigate through the inaugural Memphis Classic qualifying, 16-year-old Liutova defied all the odds on WTA debut to lift the trophy with a spirited 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 passage past fellow-first time finalist Darja Vidmanova.

In doing so, Liutova is the youngest WTA player to win a title on her tour-level debut since Mirjana Lucic in Bol, Croatia, back in 1997.

“The victory means a lot. I want to keep to going,“ Liutova told reporters, having taken down top seed Ekaterina Alexandrova on the path to her marquee moment. “I hope to stay healthy and just keep working toward my goals.“