\n<\/p>\n
Pegula won their previous meeting, a tight three-set match in the Miami Open semi-finals last year.<\/p>\n
However, Eala has improved since then, notably on her serve. She won 71% of first-serve points against Osaka, and dropped only four points behind her second.<\/p>\n
“I’m more well-rounded [now]. I’m physically a little bit better,” Eala said.<\/p>\n
“I played really well, had a great mentality and stayed locked in until the end.”<\/p>\n
Pegula came back from 5-2 down in the first set to beat Russia’s Diana Shnaider 7-5 6-4 and reach a second Washington final.<\/p>\n
In the men’s tournament, third seed Taylor Fritz will face rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar in the final.<\/p>\n
World number 10 Fritz hit 13 aces to beat fellow American Brandon Nakashima 6-3 3-6 6-3.<\/p>\n
Jodar – who will break into the world’s top 20 after starting the year ranked 165th – beat Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 6-4.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n