Eala faces big test in next Wimbledon assignment

Sports

ALEX Eala stayed in contention in the Wimbledon Championships by nailing back-to-back wins, and if she is to make it deeper into the prestigious tournament, she has to conquer a highly touted opponen in her next assignment.

Eala faces a litmus test in the third round as she battles defending champion Iga Swiatek on Saturday (Philippine time), July 4.

The world No. 32 Eala set up a highly anticipated duel with the world No. 3 Swiatek by pulling off a gallant win over Australian Maya Joint on Thursday night.

The 21-year-old Eala, seeded 29th in the tourbament, started slow against the world No. 87 Joint but finished strong to seize a 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 win.

The victory served as a sweet revenge for Eala, who bowed to Joint in the 2025 Eastbourne Open final, 4-6, 6-1, 6-7(10).

The third-seeded Swiatek, on the other hand, secured her own seat in the third round by dispatching former world No. 1 and 2021 runner-up Karolina Pliskova, 6-1, 6-3.

Eala and Swiatek split their previous two meetings.

The Filipina tennis star took down Swiatek in the quarterfinal round of the 2025 Miami Open, 6-2, 7-5. The Polish star got back at Eala by scoring a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win in their Round of 64 duel in the 2025 Madrid Open.(CCM)