The WTA 500 championship match was halted due to severe weather, with world No. 3 Pegula leading Eala in the second set.
Tennis fans will have to wait one more day to see the conclusion of the Washington DC Open women's singles final. The highly anticipated match between top seed Jessica Pegula and breakout star Alex Eala was suspended on Sunday due to a combination of lightning and heavy rain at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center.
The championship contest, part of the WTA 500 series, will now resume on Monday afternoon. The weather disruptions also forced the postponement of the men's singles final between Taylor Fritz and Rafael Jodar, extending the tournament's schedule.
When play was called off, Pegula had secured the opening set and was leading in the second. The resumption time for Monday has been set, but the forecast suggests potential challenges remain for tournament organizers, according to reporting by Tennis365.
Washington DC Open Final: New Schedule and Venue Details
The women's singles final, featuring Jessica Pegula and Alex Eala, is now scheduled to resume at 12:00 PM local time on Monday. This corresponds to 4:00 PM GMT and 5:00 PM BST, allowing sports enthusiasts worldwide to tune in.
Following the women's match, the men's singles final, pitting Taylor Fritz against Rafael Jodar, will commence not before 1:00 PM local time. This later start translates to 5:00 PM GMT and 6:00 PM BST. Both matches will be held at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington D.C.
Accuweather Forecast: What to Expect for Monday's Tennis
According to Accuweather, Monday's conditions in Washington D.C. are predicted to be "cloudy and very humid with showers and a heavy thunderstorm". This suggests that while play is scheduled, further weather interruptions cannot be entirely ruled out.
Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 31 degrees Celsius (87.8°F) throughout the day. Crucially for the morning matches, no rain is anticipated between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM local time, with temperatures during this window ranging between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius (80.6-84.2°F).
The Match So Far: Pegula's Lead and Eala's Challenge
Prior to the suspension, world No. 3 and top seed Jessica Pegula had taken control of the final. The American player edged out Alex Eala in the opening set with a score of 6-4.
The first set saw the competitors trade breaks midway through, but Pegula broke for a second time in game nine, then served out the set to love. In the second set, the score was 1-2, still on serve, when the rain began, initially leading to a 5:30 PM EST resumption time before the eventual cancellation for the day.
This final marks the second time these two players have met on court. Their previous encounter was during the semifinals of the 2025 Miami Open, where Pegula also emerged victorious, setting the stage for Eala's quest for revenge in Washington.
Player Insights: Pegula and Eala on Each Other's Game
Jessica Pegula shared her thoughts on Alex Eala's playing style, specifically her serve. "I mean, I think her serve has gotten a little bit better since when I last played her," Pegula commented, adding, "I know it’s something she’s working on, of course."
Pegula highlighted the unique advantage of left-handed players. "I think it helps that she’s a lefty," she explained. "I think lefties are definitely – no offense to lefties, but they can get away with a little bit more, because we’re just not used to seeing the ball come that direction as often." She noted that Eala's serve "stays so low. It’s hard to attack."
Alex Eala, in turn, expressed her respect for Pegula's game. "I think Jesse is a really good player. I mean, not I think. She is a really good player," Eala stated. She described Pegula's hitting as "quite a flat ball, makes the opponent uncomfortable, or at least I felt uncomfortable last time." Eala acknowledged the challenge, saying, "She is where she is for a reason, so I’m going to try to face it head on and do what I can."
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Jessica Pegula vs Alex Eala Washington DC Open final resume?
The women's singles final between Jessica Pegula and Alex Eala is scheduled to resume at 12:00 PM local time (4:00 PM GMT, 5:00 PM BST) on Monday, following its suspension due to severe weather on Sunday.
What is the weather forecast for the Washington DC Open final on Monday?
Accuweather forecasts "cloudy and very humid conditions with showers and a heavy thunderstorm" for Monday in Washington D.C. However, a window of no rain is expected between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM local time, with temperatures between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius.
What was the score when the Washington DC Open final was suspended?
When the match was suspended on Sunday, Jessica Pegula was leading Alex Eala 6-4, 1-2. Pegula had won the first set, and they were on serve in the second set.
Who is Alex Eala, Jessica Pegula's opponent in the Washington DC Open final?
Alex Eala is a rising Filipino tennis star who reached her maiden WTA 500 final at the Washington DC Open. She gained significant attention for defeating Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka on her path to the final against world No. 3 Jessica Pegula.
