Alexandra Eala beat four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka to reach the final of the Washington Open, continuing a breakthrough season that has taken her from outside the world's top 50 to a career-high ranking. The 21-year-old Filipina will now face world number three Jessica Pegula for the title, having been described by her opponent as "the future of the tour". The result caps a run in which Eala has already recorded six wins over top-10 players in 2026, including knocking Iga Swiatek out of Wimbledon in July, and becoming the first Philippine singles player to reach a major's fourth round in the Open era.

Eala won 6-4 6-2 against Osaka, having earlier beaten second seed Elina Svitolina and 2025 champion Leylah Fernandez en route to the final, with a strong serving display (71% of first-serve points won) underpinning the victory. She previously lost to Pegula in a tight three-set Miami Open semi-final, but says she has since become more physically well-rounded. In the men's draw, third seed Taylor Fritz will meet Spain's Rafael Jodar, who is set to break into the world's top 20 after starting the year ranked 165th, in Sunday's final.