Lexus Eastbourne Open 2025: Maya Joint defeats Alexandra Eala to claim first title on grass

It's a heartbreaking end to a memorable week for Eala, who made history in becoming the first ever Filipino to reach a WTA final.

One of the breakthrough stars of the year, the 21-year-old has taken another massive step in the right direction and will clock a new career-high ranking of No.56 in the world when the rankings update on Monday.

“I want to congratulat Maya for a great match and great tournament," Eala said. "I think you did really well and I think if I were to lose to anyone this week it’d definitely be you so congratulations.

"This is my first WTA final - it's a big deal for me and for my country too because it’s historic, I guess that’s also why I’m so emotional. Wimbledon is next week so hopefully I’ll forget about this match soon.”

Heading into the career-first meeting between the two, it’s safe to say Joint had the advantage having previously competed in, and won, a WTA final back in May in Rabat.

Meanwhile, it was unfamiliar territory for Eala, who showed some early signs of nerves in the opening stages of the match. The Aussie took full advantage of a shaky start from her oppoent - capitalising on her first break point opportunity to quickly storm ahead to a 3-0 lead.

Joint looked to be well on her way to taking a one set lead at 5-2 up when, out of nowhere, an opportunity opened up for Eala to draw back level as the world No.51 stepped up to serve for the set.

A couple of fiery returns from Eala’s racket is all that was needed to recover the deficit but her joy didn’t last long as the 19-year-old broke back immediately to win the set.

In a polar opposite start than the opener, it was the 20-year-old from the Phillipines who made the faster start as she raced out to a 2-0 lead.

While the Miami Open semi-finalist managed to tighten up on serve in the second, it was a different story for Joint, who’s first serve percentage dipped from 64% to just 46%.

Frustrations began to mount for the Australian on her service games and Eala looked to take full advantage – winning 77% of points on her opponent's second serve (10/13) as she cruised a triple break in front to force a decider.

Joint’s woes on serve continued early in the third, with another costly double fault in her opening service game handing Eala an early break. However the teenager soon clicked into gear, stringing together four games on the bounce to pull the scoreboard back in her favour before a fourth break of the set paved the way for a tie-break.

With a maiden grass court title on the line, both players raised their level as they fought toe-to-toe. Locked at 10-10 in the tie-break Joint had managed to save four championship points before being handed the chance to win the match herself after a wayward backhand from Eala. It was a quick one-two punch off the Australian's serve, finishing with a backhand winner that clinched the title - leaving Joint to collapse to the floor in relief. 

Bouzkova & Danilina lift doubles trophy

Marie Bouzkova and Anna Danilina denied Joint the chance at another title later in the day as they beat the Australian and Hsieh Su-wei in the women's doubles final.

The Czech, Kazakh duo defeated Joint and Su-wei 6-4, 7-5 in an hour and 23 minutes to clinch the title.

This is their first title together as a team and Bozkova's first doubles trophy in two years.