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Alex Eala joins an esteemed club of players who have won the Birmingham Open as she survives Nikola Bartunkova in the final, marking her first victory over a Czech player on the WTA Tour

MANILA, Philippines – At long last, Alex Eala broke her curse against players from the Czech Republic.

And she did it in perhaps her most important match of the year as Eala ruled the Birmingham Open in the United Kingdom following a hard-fought 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 win over Nikola Bartunkova in the final on Sunday, June 7.

Beating a Czech opponent for the first time on the WTA Tour, the Filipina captured her first title of the year, joining an esteemed club of players who have won the tournament that include legends Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Maria Sharapova, and Petra Kvitova. 

“I’m so honored to be lifting this trophy today. But lifting this trophy does not mean that I’ll be among the greats yet,” said Eala. “I’m motivated to keep working. I’m grateful for the part that this trophy has played in my journey.” 

Eala had history going against her as her record against Czech players stood at a woeful 0-13 going into the final against Bartunkova. 

This year alone, Eala lost to three Czech foes, falling prey to Tereza Valentova in the round of 64 of the Qatar Open, Linda Noskova in the round of 16 of the Indian Wells Open, and Karolina Muchova in the round of 16 of the Miami Open — all WTA 1000 events.

But Eala finally got the proverbial monkey off her back. 

After squandering a 5-3 lead in the deciding set and seeing Bartunkova pull level at 5-5, the top seed Filipina won the next two games to clinch her second WTA 125 title after reigning in the Guadalajara Open in Mexico in September.

Eala broke Bartunkova in the 11th game then saved three break points in the 12th and final game as the world No. 69 Czech ran out of gas. 

Bartunkova fired back-to-back errors that sealed the win for Eala, who could not help but feel for her beaten opponent.

“It’s one of those days I wish we could both win, and of course, this match was incredible. I think it was anyone’s game,” said Eala. 

Undefeated to start the grass-court swing, Eala hopes to continue her superb run as she competes in the Queen’s Club Championships starting on Monday, June 8. – Rappler.com