WTA Roundup: Swiatek Reaches First Grass Final Eala Makes History in Eastbourne
Iga Swiatek advances to her first career grass‑court final at Bad Homburg Alexandra Eala becomes the first Filipina to reach a WTA final at Eastbourne Read the full roundup here .
Swiatek Storms Into Bad Homburg Final
Bad Homburg Germany – June 27 2025 – Top Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek reached a career milestone on Friday defeating Italys Jasmine Paolini 6‑1 6‑3 to advance to her first ever grass court final at the Bad Homburg Open . The swift 66 minute win also marked her 50th victory over a top 10 player and her first such win on grass .
Swiatek wasted no time asserting dominance . She wrapped up the first set in just 29 minutes displaying sharp baseline control and strategic aggression . Though Paolini pushed briefly in the second set Swiatek maintained her composure and closed out the match decisively .
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I just did my job . Jasmine’s not an easy opponent—you can’t let her get back in the game because she’s a fighter Swiatek said in her post match interview .
This final appearance on grass is significant for Swiatek a five time Grand Slam winner who has historically been more comfortable on clay and hard courts . Her adaptation to the faster lower bouncing surface signals promising momentum heading into Wimbledon .
Pegula Prevails in Semifinal Comeback
Swiatek’s opponent in the Bad Homburg final will be top seed Jessica Pegula who came from behind to overcome Linda Noskova in a gripping 6‑7 2 7‑5 6‑1 semifinal clash . Pegula trailed 3‑5 in the second set before stringing together 10 of the next 11 games to secure victory after over two hours of play .
Pegula’s tactical adjustments mid match—using deep flat groundstrokes and timely net approaches—allowed her to regain control and finish strong . A title here would mark her third tournament win of the year and reinforce her form as a serious contender this grass season .
Their upcoming matchup will be the first meeting between Swiatek and Pegula on grass and it promises a clash of styles and strategies between two of the WTAs most consistent performers .
Historic First in Eastbourne Eala Breaks New Ground
Eastbourne England – June 27 2025 – Over at the Lexus Eastbourne International Alexandra Eala made history by becoming the first Filipino to reach a WTA final . The 20 year old outlasted Frances Varvara Gracheva in a dramatic 7‑5 2‑6 6‑3 semifinal win that lasted 2 hours and 22 minutes .
Eala known for her composure and powerful baseline game saved eight of 15 break points and surged through the final three games of the third set to clinch her biggest career win to date .
She will face Maya Joint a 19 year old Australian in the final. Joint advanced by defeating veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7‑5 6‑3 . Their meeting marks the youngest final pairing at Eastbourne since 1981 when Tracy Austin and Andrea Jaeger contested the title .
Context and Significance
These developments point to a dynamic and evolving WTA landscape .
- Iga Swiatek’s presence in a grass final for the first time signals her evolution into a true all surface threat. With Wimbledon just days away her breakthrough could have major implications .
- Jessica Pegula’s gritty performances confirm her reputation as one of the tour’s toughest competitors especially in long tactical battles .
- Alexandra Eala’s historic run is a milestone not just for her career but for Philippine tennis . Her success on the global stage inspires a new generation of Southeast Asian athletes .
What Lies Ahead
Bad Homburg Final
Swiatek vs Pegula – A highly anticipated showdown between two of the WTAs elite . While Pegula led their 2024 head to head this will be their first contest on grass .
Eastbourne Final
Eala vs Joint – A battle of rising stars . The winner will claim their maiden WTA title and add a major chapter to their burgeoning careers .
Final Thoughts
Swiatek’s dominance in Bad Homburg Pegula’s relentless drive and Eala’s record breaking run in Eastbourne underscore the excitement and depth in women’s tennis . As the grass season builds toward its Wimbledon climax these storylines are fueling one of the most compelling stretches of the year .