WIMBLEDON, LONDON – Alexandra Eala delivered one of the most stunning upsets of this year’s Wimbledon Championships on Saturday 4 July, eliminating defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round to write her name into the history books for the Philippines.

The result, combined with the shock exit of second seed Elena Rybakina, has blown the bottom half of the women’s singles draw wide open heading into the second week of the tournament.

Eala, seeded 29th, dispatched the five-time French Open champion 7-6 (11/9), 6-2 on Centre Court, booking her place in the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the very first time.

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Emotional victory

The victory is also the earliest exit from a major tournament for Swiatek since she was beaten in the third round of Wimbledon two years ago by Yulia Putintseva.

Eala had already made history before Saturday’s match, having become the first player from the Philippines to reach the third round of a Grand Slam in the Open era.

Overcome with emotion after her victory, she reflected on the significance of the achievement. “I’m really emotional, and maybe for someone like Iga, or someone like Serena or Venus, this might seem small,” said the left-hander.

“But for someone who grew up in the Philippines, training with my mother and my grandfather every day after school with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks – this is everything.”

Swiatek struggled throughout the match, committing 44 unforced errors and failing to capitalise on two set points during a dramatic first-set tie-break that stretched to 84 minutes.

“I felt like Alexandra was more brave in the important moments,” she acknowledged. Eala will next face former Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini on Monday 6 July.

Williams withdraws

Rybakina’s exit was equally surprising.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion and Australian Open title holder was beaten 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 by Belgian 25th seed Elise Mertens on Court One, ending her hopes of reclaiming the title and overtaking Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the world rankings. “I just try to move on. It’s impossible to win everything,” said the Kazakh world number two.

Elsewhere in the women’s draw, last year’s runner-up Amanda Anisimova was eliminated by 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Off the court, Serena Williams announced she was withdrawing from the women’s doubles competition just hours before her scheduled first-round appearance alongside sister Venus.

The 44-year-old, competing in her first matches since retiring after the 2022 US Open, sustained a knee injury during a singles defeat earlier in the week and said she was “heartbroken” not to continue.

On the men’s side, French Open champion Alexander Zverev eased into the fourth round, while Grigor Dimitrov and British wildcard Arthur Fery also advanced in impressive fashion.

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