Alex Eala has advanced to the third round of Wimbledon after defeating Australian Maya Joint 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 on Thursday night. The Filipino tennis star, currently ranked world No. 29, will now face defending champion and world No. 3 Iga Swiatek on Saturday, July 4, 2026 (Philippine time).
Historic Achievement for Philippine Tennis
Eala's third-round appearance marks the first time a Filipino player has reached this stage at Wimbledon. Regardless of the outcome against Swiatek, she has already made history for Philippine tennis.
This will be the third meeting between Eala and Swiatek, with the head-to-head record currently tied at 1-1. In March, Eala stunned Swiatek in the Miami Open quarterfinals, but Swiatek avenged the loss weeks later in Madrid.
Venus Williams Congratulates Eala
Following Eala's victory, tennis legend Venus Williams, who partnered with Eala in doubles at the Bad Homburg Open, congratulated her on Instagram. "Congratulations to my other doubles partner @alex.eala for making history," Williams wrote on her Instagram story. Williams holds 49 WTA singles titles and 22 doubles titles.
Eala's Wimbledon campaign continues as she aims to upset the defending champion and advance further in the tournament.
