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Filipina Alexandra Eala Upsets Swiatek, Reaches Wimbledon Second Week

7/5/2026

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Summary

Eala Upsets Swiatek

Alexandra Eala (seed 29) defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek in Wimbledon’s third round.
The win makes Eala the first Filipina to reach Wimbledon’s second week.
Eala, ranked No. 32 with a 30-17 record, will face 13-seed Jasmine Paolini on Monday, July 6.
A victory would set up a quarter-final against 12-seed Marta Kostyuk or qualifier Ashlyn Krueger.

Summary

Eala Inspires

Eala upset an opponent at Wimbledon, saying she played for little girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks.
She practiced on a Philippine court that doubled as a basketball court before training at the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy in Mallorca.
Philippine flags filled Centre Court as fans cheered, turning the match into a nationwide celebration.
Billie Jean King posted on X, calling Eala an inspiration for children in the Philippines and worldwide.

History

Historical Context

Li Na’s 6-4, 7-6 victory over Francesca Schiavone at the 2011 French Open made her the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam singles title, sparking a surge in Chinese tennis interest that saw millions tune in and later earned her a 2019 International Tennis Hall of Fame induction; her breakthrough set a pathway that now supports emerging Asian competitors on the Grand Slam stage.

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Eala Upsets Swiatek

Alexandra Eala (seed 29) defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek in Wimbledon’s third round.
The win makes Eala the first Filipina to reach Wimbledon’s second week.
Eala, ranked No. 32 with a 30-17 record, will face 13-seed Jasmine Paolini on Monday, July 6.
A victory would set up a quarter-final against 12-seed Marta Kostyuk or qualifier Ashlyn Krueger.

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