SOME still call it an upset, but Alex Eala is making it harder to.
On Centre Court, the Filipina rising star officially ended world No. 3 Iga Swiatek's Wimbledon title defense, beating the Polish champion, 7(11)-6(9), 6-2, for the second time in three career meetings to storm into the fourth round of the ladies' singles.
The breakthrough came in the opening set, where Eala outlasted Swiatek in an 11-9 tiebreak after the defending champion rallied from a two-game deficit and saved three set points.
The 21-year-old then carried that momentum into the second set, racing to a 4-0 lead to keep the frustrated Swiatek at bay. The Pole narrowed the gap to 4-2, but Eala quickly regained her rhythm by winning the next two games to seal the victory in two hours and 15 minutes.
Grass is Greener for Alex
Eala will next face No. 15 and 13th seed Jasmine Paolini, whom she defeated in the round of 32 of the Dubai Tennis Championships last February.
Their head-to-head tells its own story: Eala introduced herself in Miami, Swiatek answered in Madrid, and on Wimbledon's Centre Court, the Filipina had the final say.
It was Eala's first Grand Slam as a seed, and the deepest run by a Filipino in the level.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
