Danielle Collins Sends ‘Distractions’ Warning to Alexandra Eala After Washington Win

Alexandra Eala has finally earned a tour-level trophy. And this came at the Citi Open, where she defeated home favorite Jessica Pegula in three sets, becoming the first Filipina to win a WTA singles title.

Before landing in Washington, Eala also scripted history at Wimbledon. With her straight-set win over defending champion Iga Swiatek, Eala became the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament, where she lost to two-time Major singles finalist Jasmine Paolini.

Eala, following her Citi Open win, got little to no time to celebrate because of the packed schedule. The final match was scheduled on Sunday (August 2), but due to rain, the officials suspended it, and it resumed the next day.

Right after her win, Eala flew to Toronto for the Canadian Open, where she is scheduled to play her opening-round match against Alycia Parks on Wednesday (August 5). Ahead of starting her campaign in Toronto, American tennis ace Danielle Collins said Eala needs to avoid distractions to maintain the same level of focus in the WTA 1000 event.

If she can refocus, focus on the tennis here…it’s a lot of distractions after you’ve won a big tournament. People reaching out, your phone blowing up, the social media, all of it, right? So if she can just stay focused, focus on her tennis, what’s she’s been doing well.

Eala made her Canadian Open debut last year and suffered an opening-round exit, losing in three sets to Marketa Vondrousova. The 21-year-old is a one-time semifinalist in the WTA 1000 event, reaching the stage at the 2025 Miami Open, where, en route to her defeat to Pegula, Eala knocked out three Grand Slam champions, including Swiatek in the quarterfinals.

I mean look, she took that last set 6-0 against Pegula, the No. 3 player in the world, to pick up her first title. That is impressive stuff. So I think at this point she can beat anybody in the tournament, and it should be a good matchup between the two.

Danielle Collins added

Before winning the title in Washington, Eala secured victory over 2024 Paris Olympics champion Qinwen Zheng, Elina Svitolina, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. Also in Washington, Eala played her second tour-level final. Last year in Eastbourne, Eala lost the final to Maya Joint.

Andrea Petkovic says Alexandra Eala reminds her of Eugenie Bouchard

Alexandra Eala has become the cynosure of all eyes after her victory in Washington. Along with praise, Eala is also receiving advice about further improvement, with special focus given on her serve. And now Andrea Petkovic compared the youngster to former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard.

Well, she reminds me- I said it on air- she reminds me a lot of Eugenie Bouchard when she was at her very best, plus some added elements, although some people forget that Genie used to be very good at coming to the net […] She loves to play the drop shot, but generally she’s like Genie Bouchard 2.6, right? Plus she’s a lefty. Genie had a better serve, but because Alex Eala is a lefty, she really has some leverage there.

Andrea Petkovic said on The Big T podcast

This year in the WTA 1000 events, Eala has reached one quarterfinal, and it was at the Dubai Tennis Championships. She lost easily to two-time Grand Slam singles champion Coco Gauff.

In the Toronto event, if Eala reaches the third round, she will face Caty McNally or reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. Reigning champion Victoria Mboko is not competing because of a knee injury she suffered during the Queen’s Club Championships.

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