The 19th title for the Ukrainian number one..

...and a full boost of confidence for the Australian Open

The first 2026 final is here! The tournament favorite got the job done in her first final of the season, and I’m personally delighted about that. It wasn’t easy, but nothing ever is when you’re trying to become a champion. It took her four matches to sort out her issues on first and second serve. The second set against Jovic really reassured me, and I think it did the same for her. After that, there was no contest.

On her side, the Chinese player was pushed around by Eala. Both players went through ups and downs in a very disjointed match. Wang was leading 5–1 in the first set before losing it 7–5, a total blackout on the Chinese side. In the second, Eala had a match point that she didn’t convert, then a complete Filipino blackout for a 7–5 Wang set. In the third, Wang led 2–5, eased off, then closed it out 6–4. Some very good and very bad from both players, in every area of the game.

Wang has only played one final in her career and now has to face a WTA stalwart with 18 titles to her name. Wang has been riding this uneven wave all week, but against a champion who’s improving day after day, I don’t see a real contest. To me, it should end the same way as their last meeting at Wimbledon: 2–0.