BY AFP

Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala keeps on making history for the Philippines.

Eala dethroned defending champion Iga Swiatek, 7-6(9), 6-2, in the third round of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships on Saturday.

The 21-year-old tennis ace—who was, before this, already the country’s first Filipina to reach third round of a Grand Slam—will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the Round of 16.

“I don’t know how to describe it. I mean, I went to the second week of a Slam and it’s amazing for me. Iga (Swiatek) is a phenomenal player and a really nice person so I’m really grateful to be able to share Centre Court with her at Wimbledon nonetheless,” said the grateful Eala, who relished the opportunity in an interview right after the match.

The 29th seed was tested a lot in the 84-minute first set, losing a 5-3 (40-30) set point leverage in the opener as well as a 5-2 tiebreak edge to the rallying Swiatek.

However, she remained resilient despite the challenge of the reigning titlist, claiming the first set in a closely-fought 11-9 tiebreak win, also after reaching four set points.

She quickly won four games in a row in the succeeding frame, but the Polish star answered back with two games of her own.

Still, Eala found the closeout, sealing the match in the eighth game of the second set after multiple deuces to oust the World No. 3 tennis player.

“This is one of the biggest matches of my life, for sure. And this is my dream court, so I’m really happy with the atmosphere that you guys gave. Thank you so much for cheering me on,” said Eala as she thanked her Filipino fans who were there to support her at Centre Court.

This marked Eala’s second win over Swiatek in head-to-head matches, and her seventh win against a top 10 WTA player.

Eala will be bidding to become the first player from the Philippines to reach a singles Grand Slam quarter-final since Felicisimo Ampon at the 1953 French Open.

Meanwhile, Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, suffered a total of 44 unforced errors, also squandering two set point advantages in the first set tiebreak.