ALEX Eala's dream match-up on tennis' biggest grass stage will have to wait.
The Filipina's potential second-round showdown against Serena Williams at Wimbledon 2026 is officially off after the American legend bowed to Australia's Maya Joint, 3-6, 7-6(6), 3-6, early Wednesday morning (Manila time).
Williams, who announced her comeback after four years away from the tour, is still set to compete in doubles alongside sister Venus Williams.
READ: Alex Eala routs Renata Zarazua for smashing Wimbledon opener
Instead, Eala will get another shot at Joint, setting up a rematch of their dramatic 2025 Eastbourne Open meeting.
The Australian world No. 45 edged the Filipina in that grass-court thriller, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(10), handing Eala one of her most heartbreaking losses last year.
Joint enters the clash looking to build on a timely first-round victory after an inconsistent start to 2026 that saw her ranking slip from a career-high No. 28.
Up next for Alex
Should Eala advance to the third round, another highly-anticipated match could be waiting, as defending champion Iga Swiatek looms as a potential opponent, provided the Pole also gets past Karolina Pliskova.
Eala and Swiatek split their two meetings in 2025, with the Filipina stunning the former top-ranked player in Miami before Swiatek returned the favor in Madrid.
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