Alexandra Eala Stuns Defending Champion Iga Swiatek At Wimbledon Third Round

Published 4 July 2026 · sports

Alexandra Eala Stuns Defending Champion Iga Swiatek At Wimbledon Third Round Published By, Last Updated: July 04, 2026, 20:47 IST Alexandra Eala stuns Iga Swiatek

Alexandra Eala Stuns Defending Champion Iga Swiatek At Wimbledon Third Round Published By, Last Updated: July 04, 2026, 20:47 IST Alexandra Eala stuns Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon, ending her title defense with a 7-6, 6-2 win. Eala advances to face Jasmine Paolini. Rapid Read Alexandra Eala celebrates winning the third round women's singles match against Iga Swiatek (Picture credit: AP) Star Filipino tennis player Alexandra Eala on Saturday, July 4, ended Iga Swiatek’s title defence at Wimbledon, with a brilliant 7-6 (11-9), 6-2 win over the si time Grand Slam champion. Trailing 4-2 in the opening-set tiebreak, Świątek let her frustration show after committing three successive unforced errors, marching to her bench and slamming her racket into her bag.

Throughout the match, Swiatek struggled to cope with Eala’s brilliant forehand. Świątek handed Eala a match point with a wayward volley, the latest in a string of errors that plagued her throughout the contest. Although the former saved the first with a superb backhand winner, Eala made no mistake on the next chance, sealing the biggest victory of her career. “It is difficult to describe, I am in the second week of a Slam and it is incredible for me," Eala said while speaking after the match. For si time Grand Slam champion Świątek, it was her earliest exit from a major since another third-round loss at the Wimbledon Championships, when she lost to Yulia Putintseva two years ago.

Eala made history on Thursday by beating Maya Joint to become the first player from the Philippines to reach the third round of a Grand Slam in the Open Era. But the 29th seed wasn’t overawed by taking on si time Grand Slam champion Swiatek, notching her second victory in three meetings with the Polish third seed. The left-hander, who had only won one match at a Slam before this week, will next face former runner-up Jasmine Paolini on Monday. Eala will now be aiming to become the first player from the Philippines to reach the singles quarter-finals of a Grand Slam since Felicisimo Ampon achieved the feat at the 1953 French Championships. After thriving amidst the raucous backing of her Filipino supporters on the outside courts during the opening two rounds, Eala once again rose to the occasion, producing another composed display in the far less partisan atmosphere of Centre Court against Świątek.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: July 04, 2026, 20:47 IST News sports tennis Alexandra Eala Stuns Defending Champion Iga Swiatek At Wimbledon Third Round Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...