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Filipina tennis star Alex Eala scored the biggest win of her career on Saturday, July 4, 2026 beating defending champion Iga Świątek 7-6(9), 6-2 in the third round of Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old Eala, seeded No. 29, saved two set points in a tight first-set tiebreak before sealing the win in one hour and 25 minutes on Centre Court.
She capped off the victory with a crosscourt forehand winner, then broke down in tears, calling it a childhood dream come true.
Eala raced to a big lead early in the second set. Świątek fought back and saved two match points, but Eala held her nerve and closed out the win on her third match point.
It was Eala's second career win over Świątek, after she also beat the Polish star at last year's Miami Open.
The victory makes Eala the first Filipina in the Open Era to reach the Wimbledon fourth round. She had already made history days earlier as the first Filipino player to reach the third round of a Grand Slam.
For Świątek, the loss ends her bid to defend her Wimbledon crown.
Eala will face world No. 13 Jasmine Paolini of Italy for a seat in the quarterfinals and another history for Philippine tennis.
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Date posted: July 5, 2026 12:08 AM