Alex Eala outlasts Rebeka Masarova in rain-delayed Birmingham Open semis, reaches second WTA 125 final

Alexandra “Alex” Eala outlasted Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, in a rain-delayed semifinal clash at the Birmingham Open on Saturday to advance to the second WTA 125 final of her career.

The Filipino ace previously captured her first WTA 125 title at the Guadalajara Open last year.

Eala was on the verge of victory, leading 5-2 in the deciding third set, when rain halted play for more than an hour. After the match resumed, Masarova claimed one more game, but Eala quickly regained control and closed out the win.

In the final, Eala will face Czech Republic’s Nikola Bartunkova for the Birmingham Open crown.

—JKC, GMA News