Escudero honors Alex Eala's history-making WTA championship ahead of Senate impeachment trial

Description

Before the Senate resumed impeachment proceedings on Tuesday, Presiding Officer Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero led the chamber in honoring Filipina tennis star Alex Eala following her historic triumph at the 2026 Mubadala DC Open. Eala made Philippine sports history after defeating world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, in Washington, D.C., to become the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour singles title. She completed the victory early Tuesday (Manila time). The title propelled the 21-year-old eight spots to a career-high world No. 20, making her the first Filipina to crack the WTA Top 20.