Lexus Birmingham Open 2026: Top seed Alexandra Eala crowned women’s singles champion
• 2 minute read
Top seed Alexandra Eala fought back from a set down to win her first grass court title at the Lexus Birmingham Open.
World No.37 Eala came through a three-set battle 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 against fifth seed Nikola Bartunkova to pick up her second WTA 125 title.
The Filipino player lost just her second set of the tournament in a tough match that lasted two hours and 38 minutes on the Ann Jones Centre Court.
Alexandra Eala’s path to the title
Final: Nikola Bartunkova (CZE) (seeded 5) 5-7, 6-3, 7-5
Semi-final: Rebeka Masarova (SUI) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
Quarter-final: Mananchaya Sawangkaew (THA) 6-3, 6-2
Second round: Alina Charaeva 6-2, 7-5
First round: Priscilla Hon (AUS) 6-0, 6-2
Eala got off to a slow start on the Ann Jones Centre Court as she struggled on serve - landing just 58% of her first serves while racking up four double faults.
This allowed Bartunkova, who was playing in her first grass court tournament this week, into the match and the Czech star rattled off the final three games to take the opener.
The world. No.37 kept her head up and found her rhythm in the second set, dropping just six points on her serve (18/24).
On the opposite side of the court, Bartunkova's level dipped as both players fought against the blustery conditions. It wasn't long before Eala picked up a crucial break at 3-2 before seeing out the set and forcing a decider.
The final set was tight as Eala fought back from 15-40, and saved three break points before responding in the following game to go up 3-2.
There were some tense moments towards the end of the match, with Eala losing a break to love at 5-4 before regaining control in the next game to give her the chance to serve out the match.
Bartunkova wasn't done yet, keeping on the pressure until the very end. Eala held her nerve to save three break points before a long ball from the Czech player sealed the title for the former Eastbourne runner-up.
She becomes the first top seeded player to win a WTA 125 event since October 2025 (32 tournaments).
Eala will now head to West London where she will feature at the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club, starting Monday 8 June.
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