For the first time, Alex Eala will be playing for the title in the WTA Tour. Eala scored a grindout 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 win over Varvara Gracheva of France on Friday to advance to the championship round of the Lexus Eastbourne Open.

Eala quickly raced to a 3-0 lead before Gracheva took her first game, 3-1. Eala extended her lead to 4-1, but Gracheva fought back, winning four straight games to steal the lead at 5-4, capitalizing on Eala’s errors. Eala responded by tying it at 5-all, then regained momentum to close out the first set in 57 minutes.

MANILA, Philippines -- Alex Eala just made history as the first Filipina tennis player to make the finals of a WTA tournament. Eala will be battling for the Lexus Eastbourne championship after dispatching Varvara Gracheva in three grueling sets, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, Friday evening (Manila time) in England.