Aussie teen pulls off epic fightback to clinch second WTA title on eve of Wimbledon

Australian teenager Maya Joint saved four match points to clinch the WTA title at Eastbourne with a dramatic victory over Alexandra Eala that ended the Filipina’s history bid on Saturday.

Joint survived a tense clash lasting two hours and 26 minutes, emerging with a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (12/10) win to seal her second WTA Tour title.

In the youngest Eastbourne final since 1981, world number 51 Joint staved off the four championship points in a gripping final-set tie-break.

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She finally wrapped up the title by drilling a backhand winner before collapsing to the turf in delight.

“I’m very happy right now, feeling very relieved as well. It was a very difficult match, I’m proud of myself for coming back and staying in the match,” Joint said.

“I’m glad I was able to find a way back. Alex played really well today. She definitely tested me and after the first set she got very aggressive.

“What an amazing crowd, you guys came and supported me every day so thank you.”

TOPSHOT - Australia's Maya Joint poses with the trophy after beating Philippines' Alexandra Eala in their women's singles final tennis match on day six of the Lexus Eastbourne International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, southern England, on June 28, 2025. Joint won the match in three sets, 12-10 in a third set tie-break. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP) Source: AFP

Having also defeated former Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu at Eastbourne over the last week, Joint has underlined her status as one of the rising stars of the women’s tour.

After winning on clay in Rabat in May, the 19-year-old has proved she can thrive on grass as well ahead of the start of Wimbledon on Monday.

Joint was unable to make it two trophies in one day as she and partner Hsieh Su-wei were beaten 6-4, 7-5 by Marie Bouzkova and Anna Danilina in the doubles final.

TOPSHOT - Australia's Maya Joint reacts at match point after beating Philippines' Alexandra Eala in their women's singles final tennis match on day six of the Lexus Eastbourne International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, southern England, on June 28, 2025. Joint won the match in three sets, 12-10 in a third set tie-break. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP) Source: AFP

It was a painful defeat for Eala, who was so close to becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour title.

The 20-year-old wiped away tears of frustration during the on-court trophy presentation.

Eala had become the first Filipina to reach a WTA final after beating Varvara Gracheva in the last four at Eastbourne on Friday.

“I want to congratulate Maya for a great match and great tournament,” Eala said. “This is my first WTA final, it’s a big deal for me and for my country too because it’s historic. I guess that’s also why I’m so emotional.

“Wimbledon is next week so hopefully I’ll forget about this match soon.”

EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Maya Joint of Australia poses for a photo with the Lexus Eastbourne Open Women's Singles trophy after victory against Alexandra Eala of Philippines in the Women's Singles Final on Day Six of the Lexus Eastbourne Open at Devonshire Park on June 28, 2025 in Eastbourne, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for LTA) Source: Getty Images

Eala’s run to the final has made the world number 74 one to watch in the coming months.

After progressing through qualifying to make the main draw, Eala beat Lucia Bronzetti, former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, Nottingham Open finalist Dayana Yastremska and France’s Gracheva.

She had burst onto the scene with three shock victories over Grand Slam winners Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek to reach the Miami Open semi-finals in March.

Maya Joint of Australia in action against Alexandra Eala of the Philippines in the Women's singles Final during day six of the Eastbourne Open at Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, England, Saturday June 28, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP) Source: AP

Eala is due to face reigning champion Barbora Krejcikova in the Wimbledon first round on Centre Court on Tuesday.

But Krejcikova is struggling with a thigh injury that forced her to pull out of the Eastbourne quarter-finals on Thursday, putting the Czech’s title defence in doubt.

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