Alex Eala will be playing against her former doubles partner Nikola Bartunkova in the championship match of the WTA 125 Lexus Birmingham Open. This is Eala’s first final of 2026 and is an opportunity for her to win her second WTA singles title.
Bartunkova’s Resurgence on Grass
The Eala-Bartunkova partnership for the Lexus Birmingham Open quickly ended as they were knocked out by Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden in the first round, 4-6, 6-2, 9-11.
Interestingly, the 20-year-old Bartunkova had not played a singles grass-court match since 2023. But after the doubles loss, she turned things around.
In the Round of 32, the Czech outlasted Harriet Dart in a three-set battle, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. The world No. 69 then defeated fellow Czech Gabriela Knutson in straight sets before overcoming another grueling three-set match against Mika Stojsavljević with a score of 6-4, 7-6(8), 7-6(4).
In the semifinals, the tournament’s fifth-seeded player overcame a tough challenge from Ashlyn Krueger, 6-4, 7-6(7).
In the finals, Bartunkova meets the top-seeded Alex Eala.
Eala’s Impressive Run to the Final
The pride of the Philippines had a more commanding run as she outlasted first Priscilla Hon, Alina Charaeva, and Mananchaya Sawangkaew—all in straight sets. The world No. 37 then got pushed to the limit by Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, in a rain-interrupted semifinal battle. That hard-fought victory allowed Eala to book a ticket to the championship of the WTA 125 Lexus Birmingham Open.
For the championship match, Alex Eala will be looking to secure her second trophy following her WTA 125 Guadalajara title, which she won last year. Meanwhile, Nikola Bartunkova is aiming to claim her first-ever WTA championship.
Alex Eala Next Match
Alex Eala vs. Nikola Bartunkova
Tournament: WTA 125 Lexus Birmingham Open
Date and Time: Sunday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. (Time subject to change.)
Category: Singles (Finals)
