Eala's Historic Upset
Alexandra Eala Stuns Defending Champion Iga Swiatek in Gripping Wimbledon Upset
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Key Points
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The opening set was an 85-minute grind in which Swiatek failed to convert two set points, while Eala created her own chances in the tiebreak (she had set points at 7-6 and 9-8) before winning 11-9.
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Eala’s on-court personality drew attention from the Centre Court crowd, with gestures for more noise, arm-flapping celebrations, and even diving to reach a shot while lying on the grass after slipping.
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Eala entered Wimbledon as the No. 29 seed and surged to a 4-0 advantage in the second set before sealing the win, marking her as the first Filipino to reach the fourth round of a major.
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Swiatek’s frustration was amplified by coaching communications from Francisco Roig—'She’s not beating you, you’re losing'—and by commentators noting a patchy rhythm and a notable racket-throwing moment.
Alexandra Eala knocked out defending Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek in a stunning third-round upset on Centre Court, winning 7-6 (11-9) 6-2. The 21-year-old Filipino star became the first player from the Philippines ever to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam major, according to NY Post and Daily Mail.
Swiatek, the No. 3 seed and reigning champion, could not hold her form. After an exhausting 85-minute first set, the match slipped away fast. Eala surged to a 4-0 lead in the second set and never looked back, The Sun reported.
An Epic First Set Tiebreak Swings the Match
The first set alone lasted 85 minutes. Swiatek had two set points but could not convert either one. Eala then created her own chances — holding set points at 7-6 and again at 9-8 in the tiebreak — before finally closing it out 11-9, according to Daily Mail.
That tiebreak proved to be the turning point. Once Eala took the first set, Swiatek's game fell apart. The second set was over quickly, with Eala racing to a 4-0 lead before finishing 6-2. The Sun called it a massive upset on one of tennis's biggest stages.
Eala Wins Over the Centre Court Crowd
Eala did not just win — she put on a show. She waved her arms to call for more noise from the crowd. She dove for a shot and ended up lying on the grass after slipping. She celebrated every big point with raw, visible joy. The Sun described her as the "new darling of Centre Court."
Eala entered the tournament as the No. 29 seed. Her fearless baseline tennis and high-energy personality caught everyone's attention. Head Topics noted that her run marked a historic moment for Filipino tennis, as no player from the Philippines had ever reached the second week of a Wimbledon draw before.
Swiatek's Frustration Boils Over on Court
Swiatek struggled with her rhythm all match. She piled up unforced errors and was caught in back-to-back mistakes at key moments. At one point, she threw her racket in frustration. Her coach Francisco Roig sent a message that cut to the point: "She's not beating you, you're losing," according to NY Post.
The message did not spark a turnaround. Swiatek could not find the control she needed on grass. Daily Mail noted her patchy rhythm throughout, and commentators pointed to her volatility as a key factor. The loss ends her title defense and marks one of her most high-profile early exits in recent years.
A Historic Milestone for Filipino Tennis
Eala's win is bigger than just one match. No Filipino player had ever reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam before this result. At just 21 years old, she beat a five-time Grand Slam champion on the sport's most famous court. NY Post called it a stunner that will be remembered for years.
Eala now moves into the second week at Wimbledon for the first time in her career. Her performance drew praise from all corners of the tennis world. The Sun framed the result as a defining moment — not just for Eala, but for the future of tennis in the Philippines.
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