Eala avenges past loss, sets sights on Swiatek at Wimbledon

Neena Mae Rayos, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
July 3, 2026

(Photo Courtesy: Wimbledon | Instagram)

LONDON – Alex Eala has advanced to the third round of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, overcoming Australia’s Maya Joint in a dramatic three-set match with a scoreline of 3–6, 6–2, 6–0.

The victory also served as redemption for Eala, who had suffered a painful loss to Joint in the 2025 Eastbourne Open final.

Joint, ranked No. 87 globally, started strong, breaking Eala’s serve early and taking the first set 6–3 after a tight battle that saw both players trade breaks and crucial points.

However, Eala regrouped in the second set, unleashing powerful serves clocked at 105 and 107 mph and capitalizing on Joint’s unforced errors to dominate 6–2.

In the third set, Eala displayed composure and resilience, shutting out Joint 6–0 to seal the win.

Emotional after the match, Eala thanked her supportive Filipino fans and reflected on how far she’d come since last year’s defeat.

She noted that her team’s hard work over the past year has paid off, allowing her to smile while looking back at that painful loss.

Next, Eala will face Iga Swiatek, the defending Wimbledon women’s singles champion, in what promises to be another high-stakes encounter.