Why Is Eala vs. Pegula Washington Final Delayed? When Is New Start Time? – All you need to know is here
Alex Eala’s bid for her first WTA title will have to wait a little longer.
Rain in Washington forced organizers to delay Sunday’s Mubadala DC Open women’s singles final between Eala and world No. 3 Jessica Pegula at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.
The championship match was scheduled to begin at noon Eastern time on Stadium Court. The WTA initially pushed the start to no earlier than 1:30 p.m. before the tournament announced another delay because of inclement weather.
Play will not begin before 2:45 p.m. Eastern, according to the Mubadala DC Open’s official update. That corresponds to 2:45 a.m. Monday in the Philippines.
The revised time remains subject to change depending on the rain and how quickly Stadium Court can be prepared. Fans were advised to monitor the tournament’s social media channels for further updates.
Alex Eala’s Historic Run to Washington Final
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates after winning a women’s singles match against Naomi Osaka of Japan on day six of the Mubadala DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 01, 2026 in Washington, DC.
The delay prolonged the anticipation surrounding one of the most significant matches in Philippine tennis history.
Eala, ranked a career-high No. 28, earned her place in the final by beating four formidable opponents. She rallied past Zheng Qinwen 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 before eliminating defending champion Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 7-6 (1).
The 21-year-old Filipina followed those victories by defeating world No. 10 Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-4 and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-2. She has not lost a set since her opening-round comeback against Zheng.
Her victory over Osaka sent Eala into the first WTA 500 final of her career and moved her within one win of a breakthrough tour-level championship.
“Going into this tournament, I looked at the list, and it was jam-packed,” Eala said after the semifinal. “It was big player after big player after big player. So to be in the final really means a lot to me.”
Eala added that her growing experience in high-pressure matches has prepared her for Sunday’s challenge.
“I’m in the final for a reason,” Eala said. “I just have to trust myself. She is such an amazing player. I think it’s going to be a really good match.”
