Filipino history-making Alexandra Eala has claimed the biggest win of her career at the Grand Slam level after producing a dazzling display to knock out defending champion Iga Swiatek in straight sets.
Eala, who has become the first player from her country to make it through to the last 16 of a major event, battled through a dramatic opening set en route to a stunning 7-6(9), 6-2, win over the former world No.1. The 21-year-old, who is playing in a major event for only the sixth time in her career, has now beaten a top 10 player on grass three times this year. Her other scalps were over Elena Rybakina and Elena Svitolina in Berlin.
“I don’t know how to describe it. I’m in the second week of a slam. It’s amazing for me,” Eala said during her on-court interview.
“Iga is a phenomenal player and a really nice person. I’m really grateful to be able to share Centre court with her at Wimbledon. I’m really emotional.
“Maybe for someone like Iga, who’s won so many slams or someone like Serena or Venus, this achievement may seem small.. but for someone who grew up in the Philippines…I went to train with my brother and grandmother every day after school with my ruffled socks and shoes and my chubby cheeks. To her, this is everything.”
Centre Court was electrified by a pulsating 84-minute opening set in which both players displayed high-quality defence. Throughout the tussle, Swiatek took an early advantage by breaking in the third game before being instantly pegged back. Then it was Eala’s turn to move ahead as she surged to a 5-3 lead but failed to serve it out. Paving the way for a gut-busting 20-point tiebreaker.
It was in the tiebreak that Swiatek’s frustration started to show, with the Pole throwing her racket towards her chair when falling behind 2-4. Her mood worsened after two set point chances came and went. To add to her woes, Swiatek hit back-to-back forehand errors to surrender the opening set to Eala, who was producing some of her best tennis.
Coming through the tense opener, Eala dominated the opening stages of the second set by breaking two times in a row en route to a 4-0 lead. Swiatek managed to stop the onslaught and retrieved one of those breaks. However, it failed to deterred a determined Eala, who was repeatedly shaking her bandaged right leg during the closing stages, from holding her nerve to claim victory.
“How many times have I dream of opportunities like this,” Eala reflected.
“To win the first set 11-9 (in the tiebreak), when I have my opportunities I have to take it because they are blessings. Being here is a blessing, I worked super hard to get here and I’m taking it. If I have the chance I’m taking it.”
Rybakina exits
On a day of shocks, second seed Rybakina has also exited the tournament after losing 7-6(4), 6-1, to Elise Mertens. A 30-year-old Belgian veteran of the Tour who until this week has never beaten a top 10 player on grass. It is the second year in a row that Rybakina has fallen in the third round at SW19. 12 months ago, she was stunned by Clara Tauson when seeded 11th in the draw.
It was an error-stricken performance from the Kazakh, who hit 31 unforced errors against 12 winners. To make the outcome even more frustrating, Mertens is the singles player Rybakina had beaten the most on Tour in her career, with seven wins under her belt.
“I have no words. I feel a little bit like… ‘woo.’” A delighted Mertens said on court.
“I’m very happy I won that first set and kept the momentum going. She’s an incredible player. She’s won Wimbledon in the past. A really tough opponent.”
Rybakina was in with a chance of taking the No.1 spot, but was required to make it through to at least the quarter-final stage. Also, this scenario was influenced by Aryna Sabalenka’s performance.
It is the third time since 2022 that two of the top three seeds in the women’s draw have failed to make it through to the fourth round at Wimbledon.
MORE TO COME
