Princess Alex unseats Wimbledon champion

After meeting Catherine, Princess of Wales, Alex Eala dethroned Wimbledon’s reigning queen.

- JOHN BRYAN ULANDAY

The 21-year-old Filipina pulled off the biggest win of her career yesterday in London, ousting world No. 3 and defending champion Iga Swiatek, 7-6 (11-9), 6-2, in the third round of Wimbledon to become the first Filipino player to reach the Round of 16 at any Grand Slam.

Eala did not wilt under the Center Court lights.

Backed by a sea of Philippine flag-waving supporters at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, she showed the poise, resilience and grit that have defined her breakthrough season on grass.

The match lasted two hours and 15 minutes. Swiatek, 25, recovered from a minor slip that tweaked her left ankle in the seventh game of the opening set, but Eala stayed composed through the Polish star’s rallies.

Eala collapsed to the grass in tears after sealing the match with a forehand winner, then rose to set up a fourth-round clash with world No. 13 Jasmine Paolini of Italy.