WTA250 Eastbourne: Maya Joint vs Alexandra Eala final analysis
One of the most exciting and intense endings to a title decider this season
Brimmed with youthful energy, the last match before Wimbledon had a stunning and drama-filled finale. A thrilling third set tie-break between 19-year old Maya Joint (WTA #52) and 20-year old qualifier Alexandra Eala (WTA #77) to crown the 2025 Eastbourne champion that had both finalists elevating their level, fighting through some crazy rallies and holding multiple championship points.
In the end, Joint combined fresher legs and outrageous court coverage with a series of clutch backhand winners to seal a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 [12:10] triumph. Just like her title in Rabat the week before Roland Garros, the Australian teenager won again on the eve of a Major.
Amidst the tears and heartbreak from being so close to victory in her first Tour final presence, it was nice to see Eala smile and frown after receiving what must have been a very special wine bottle.
📺 source: WTA Tv
Match analysis
Score progress throughout the wind-affected Eastbourne final was mostly dictated by forehand performances. These were very patchy and out of sync, which meant players took turns holding momentum or struggling with forehand errors.
Forehand Performances by set
Set 1
Joint: -6 (6 winners / 12 errors)
Eala: -17 (3 winners / 20 errors)
Set 2
Joint: -11 (3 winners / 14 errors)
Eala: -2 (4 winners / 6 errors)
Set 3
Joint: -13 (8 winners / 21 errors)
Eala: -16 (5 winners / 21 errors)
Joint started out on a superior level and built an early 3-0 lead. Despite having her advantage reduced from 5-2 to 5-4, the Australian broke once more in the 10th game to clinch the opener.
But her play dropped significantly soon after, allowing Eala to win 8 of 9 games. So, not only did the Filipina force a decider, she took a 2-0 lead in it.
Joint was looking rattled but reacted with a 4-game sequence to move 4-2 ahead. Eala responded straight away with a 9-point run that squared the set at 4-4.
With no further breaks, a deciding tie-break was reached to settle the title. What unravelled next was special.