Alexandra Eala stuns defending champion Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon 2026
On July 4, 2026, 21-year-old Philippine qualifier Alexandra Eala defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6(9), 6-2 in the Wimbledon third round, becoming the first Filipino to reach a Grand Slam fourth round. Eala, trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy, saved two set points in the tiebreak. The upset also saw No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina eliminated. Eala’s run ended in the fourth round against Jasmine Paolini. The victory propelled Eala into the WTA top-30.
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Paolini ends Eala’s fairytale run, sets up last-eight clash with Kostyuk
Jasmine Paolini defeated Alexandra Eala 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in the fourth round of Wimbledon on July 6, 2026, ending the Filipino qualifier's fairytale run. Eala had stunned defending champion Iga Swiatek in the previous round. Paolini, a 2024 Wimbledon finalist, overcame a mid-match wobble and was supported by a crowd that included Roger Federer in the royal box. The Italian will face Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk in the quarterfinals. Paolini, who also reached the 2024 French Open final, credited the special atmosphere on Centre Court and said she is improving match by match after a slow start to the tournament.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Paolini ends Eala’s fairytale run, sets up last-eight clash with Kostyuk
Jasmine Paolini defeated Alexandra Eala 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in a Wimbledon fourth-round match on Centre Court, ending the Filipino qualifier's fairytale run. Eala had previously stunned defending champion Iga Swiatek. Paolini, a 2024 Wimbledon finalist, will face Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk in the quarterfinals. The match featured fluctuating momentum, with Paolini taking the first set, Eala forcing a decider, and Paolini ultimately prevailing after Eala's errors in the final set. Paolini acknowledged the supportive crowd, which included Roger Federer, and expressed joy at returning to Centre Court.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Alexandra Eala stuns Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek; Elena Rybakina also eliminated in third round
In a historic victory for the Philippines, 21-year-old Alexandra Eala defeated defending Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek 7-6(9), 6-2 in the third round on July 4, 2026. Eala became the first Filipino player – male or female – to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles tournament. Eala saved two set points in the first-set tiebreaker and closed the match on her third match point. The 29th-seeded left-hander, who trained at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy, had previously upset Swiatek at the Miami Open. She next faces 13th-seeded Jasmine Paolini. In another upset, 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, seeded No. 2, lost to Belgium’s Elise Mertens 7-6(4), 6-1, ensuring Aryna Sabalenka retains the No. 1 ranking. On the men’s side, Taylor Fritz advanced, while French Open champion Alexander Zverev also moved on. Madison Keys rallied past Amanda Anisimova in an all-American contest on Independence Day.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Alexandra Eala stuns defending champion Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon, breaks into WTA top-30
Alexandra Eala, a 21-year-old left-handed tennis player from the Philippines, defeated defending champion and World No. 3 Iga Swiatek 7-6(9), 6-2 on Centre Court at Wimbledon on July 4, 2026. The victory marks Eala's third straight win over a top-10 player, following wins against Elina Svitolina and Elena Rybakina on Berlin grass last month. Eala, who grew up in the Philippines where basketball and boxing dominate, trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy. She previously reached the Miami Open semifinals in 2025 as a wild card ranked No. 140, beating Ostapenko, Keys, Badosa, and Swiatek before falling to Pegula. With this win, Eala broke into the top-30 in live WTA rankings. In an emotional on-court interview, she dedicated the win to her countrymen, family, and 'girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks.'
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Eala upsets Wimbledon champion Swiatek in historic win for Philippines, No. 2 seed Rybakina also out
In a historic upset at Wimbledon, 21-year-old Philippine player Alexandra Eala defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6 (9), 6-2 in the third round, becoming the first Filipino singles player to reach a Grand Slam fourth round. Eala, trained at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy, saved two set points in the first-set tiebreak. Earlier, 2022 champion Elena Rybakina was ousted by Elise Mertens. In other matches, Madison Keys rallied past Amanda Anisimova, and Taylor Fritz led American men into the fourth round. French Open winner Alexander Zverev advanced, and Grigor Dimitrov outlasted Matteo Berrettini. Eala next faces Jasmine Paolini.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Defending champion Iga Swiatek knocked out of Wimbledon by Alexandra Eala
Defending women's champion Iga Swiatek was eliminated from Wimbledon in the third round, suffering a straight-sets loss to 29th seed Alexandra Eala. The six-time Grand Slam champion lost the first set in a dramatic tie-break (11-9) and then fell apart in the second set, losing 7-6 (11-9), 6-2. Eala, 21, made history by becoming the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of any Grand Slam tournament. The match was played on July 4, 2026, at Wimbledon. This result is considered a major shock in the tennis world.
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