Alex Eala Wins WTA 250 Birmingham Open, Moves Up to No. 33 in Rankings

Alex Eala defeated Nikola Bartunkova 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 to win the 2026 Birmingham Open on June 7 in the United Kingdom. The victory gave the 20-year-old her first title of the year and her first win against a player from the Czech Republic. Eala rose to No.

33 in the WTA rankings released on Monday, June 8, after gaining 125 points from the tournament. She had been ranked No. 37 the previous week. The new ranking places Eala inside the top 32, which grants a first-round bye at Grand Slam and WTA 1000 events.

She last reached the top 30 with a career-high No. 29 in March 2026 after reaching the round of 16 at Indian Wells. Eala dropped to No. 45 the week after that peak when she could not defend 390 points earned from a semifinal run at the Miami Open the prior year.

She earned 120 points by reaching the round of 16 at this year’s Miami Open. She returned to the top 40 in May and has continued climbing since. Rappler reported that the Birmingham title marks her second WTA 125 crown.

Eala is scheduled to play Zhang Shuai, ranked No. 64, in the round of 32 at the WTA 500 Queen’s Club Championships that begins Monday in London. She reached the final of the Eastbourne Open on grass last year.

“I’m motivated to keep working. I’m grateful for the part that this trophy has played in my journey,” Eala said after the final.