EASTBOURNE, United Kingdom, June 28, (V7N) – Top seed Taylor Fritz stayed on track for his fourth Eastbourne Open crown by defeating Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the semifinals on Friday, setting up a surprise all-American final against lucky loser Jenson Brooksby.

Fritz, ranked No. 5 in the world, shook off a second-set lapse to dominate the decider and move within reach of his second grass-court title of the month, having already triumphed in Stuttgart.

While Fritz’s run to the final was expected, Brooksby’s path has been anything but conventional. The 24-year-old world No. 149 lost in qualifying but was granted a place in the main draw as a lucky loser — and has made history as the first to reach an Eastbourne final from that position. He stunned French fourth seed Ugo Humbert 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 6-4 in Friday's other semi.

“I think there’s a lot less pressure when you’re not even supposed to be in the main draw,” said Brooksby. “You just want to make the most of it.”

It’s been a comeback season for Brooksby, who was ranked outside the top 1,000 at the start of the year. He won his maiden ATP Tour title earlier this season in Houston as a qualifier, surviving three match points during his run

Eala Becomes First Filipina to Reach WTA Final

On the women’s side, Alexandra Eala made history as the first player from the Philippines to reach a WTA Tour final, overcoming Russia’s Varvara Gracheva 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 in a gripping semifinal.

The 20-year-old world No. 74 fought through a physically and mentally demanding match at Devonshire Park, holding her nerve to seal a milestone win. She will face 19-year-old Australian Maya Joint, who ousted Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-3 in the other semifinal.

“It was a real challenge for both of us,” said Eala. “She had some dominant moments, but I waited for my chances and stayed focused. That was a big achievement for me.”

Eala’s star has been rising fast. She shocked Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek en route to the Miami Open semifinals in March. She is scheduled to face reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in the first round on Tuesday — although Krejcikova’s status is uncertain due to a thigh injury that forced her to withdraw from the Eastbourne quarters.

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