The Lexus Birmingham Open women’s singles final features a highly anticipated matchup between Alexandra Eala and Nikola Bartunkova. Both players, aged 20, will vie for their first grass court title on Sunday. Eala, entering as the top seed, previously finished runner-up at the Lexus Eastbourne Open and recently advanced past qualifier Rebeka Masarova in a grueling semi-final, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. The match included substantial rain delays and marks Eala’s longest performance at the Edgbaston Priory Club.
Match-Up Background
Bartunkova, Eala’s opponent, also had a challenging semi-final, defeating American qualifier Ashlyn Krueger with a score of 6-4, 7-6(7). Although Bartunkova struggled with her serve, maintaining a 55% first serve rate, she effectively won 39 of 48 first serve points, securing her place in the final.
A Look at Alexandra Eala
- World ranking: Rising star on the WTA tour.
- Notable achievements:
- 2022 Girls’ US Open champion.
- First Filipino to reach a WTA 1000 semi-final (2025 Miami Open).
- First WTA 125 title in Guadalajara.
Highlights of Nikola Bartunkova
- World ranking: Currently at No. 69.
- Career milestones:
- First grass court tournament experience.
- Reached the tour semi-final at WTA 500 in Guadalajara as a wild card.
- Round of 16 appearance at the WTA 1000 event in Rome.
- Aiming to be the first Czech woman to win this title since Petra Kvitova (2017, 2018).
Significance of the Final Showdown
This final presents an exciting opportunity for both players. It’s their first head-to-head meeting, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the event. The match will showcase their respective skills as they compete for the WTA 125 title.
How to Watch
Fans can stream the complete finals of the Lexus Birmingham Open online via WTA Unlocked. The men’s singles match will be broadcast exclusively on Tennis Channel.
