Photo Source: TC
Maya Joint absorbed every punch that Alexandra Eala threw over the course of a wild final-set tiebreak on Saturday at Devonshire Park, and always summoned the courage to throw one more of her own.
Finally, a last-ditch backhand on her second championship point ended the tumultuous encounter. She sunk to the ground in exhaustion, her opponent breaking out in tears across the net – what a final!
The 19-year-old Aussie saved four championship points in the final-set tiebreak and came away with a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(10) victory and her second WTA title of her career – and the season in two hours and 26 minutes. “Alex, first of all, amazing play and great week,” Joint told Eala at the podium. “We’ll definitely play many more finals. You’ve been having such an amazing year, so great job to you and your team.”
The Aussie also took out Emma Raducanu in a third-set tiebreak in the second round at Eastbourne. She also defeated Ons Jabeur, Anna Blinkova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to win her second career title on her Eastbourne debut.
Eala, the first Filipina to reach a WTA final, was emotional after the tough defeat and the crowd, sending her sadness, showered her with applause accordingly.
“Oh my God,” she told the crowd in tears. “First of all I want to congratulate Maya for a great match and a great tournament. If I had to lose to anyone this week, it would be you.”
Eala had the final within her grasp on several occasions. After leading by a break in the third set, she rallied back from 4-2 down and twice forced Joint to serve to stay alive. In the tiebreak the pair played stunning, lengthy rallies, with Eala racing out to a 5-2 lead before being reeled back in. She had championship points at 6-5, 8-7, 9-8 and 10-9. Joint played beautifully under pressure, and both players defended the court exceptionally well. “It was my first WTA final,” Eala said. “It’s a big deal for me and for my country too, because it’s historic – it’s the first time any Filipino has [done it]. That’s also why I’m so emotional, but it’s just the first, I’ll definitely do more, Wimbledon is next week – hopefully I’ll forget about this match soon.”