Trailblazing Eala Makes More History at Wimbledon

Alexandra Eala is blazing a trail on the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon. 

The 21-year-old became the first Filipino to reach the third round of a Grand Slam on Thursday as she toppled Australia’s Maya Joint, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0. 

“I’ve been working extremely hard,” she said. “My team over there has been working extremely hard – I really feel like it’s paying off.”

Eala, the first player from the Phillipines to reach a WTA final or hold a Top 50 ranking, continues to hit the marks and give her passionate fan base moments to savor.

“It’s an amazing thing for me to be able to do that for my country, but I guess it’s also very emotional every time I’m able to pass a new step or break new ground, just because it’s also personal goals and personal achievements,” she said.

“It’s things that I have been working really hard for. It’s things that my team has been working really hard for. I really appreciate that I’m able to share this with the nation, but I think first and foremost it makes me super proud because of the work that I’ve put in.”

Filipino flags were flying inside Court 3, tucked in the shadows of Centre Court, as Eala and Joint played for the right to face defending champion Iga Swiatek in round three. Earlier on Day 4, the Pole eased past former Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova, 6-1, 6-3. 

Against the rising Aussie who vanquished Serena Williams on Tuesday night, Eala had to bide her time and dig down deep to finally take control of the match. 

Eala, seeded at a major for the first time at No.29, was outplayed by the World No.87 in the opening set, but once she converted her sixth break point of the second set for a 2-1 lead, she never looked back. Another break came for 5-2 – the first of a run of eight consecutive games to close out the decisive victory. 

Joint hit 37 errors to 20 for Eala, but she was up against relentless returning from the Filipina, who earned 19 break points and converted five.

“I really had to dig deep, especially after that first set,” she said. “Maya came out on fire. She came out ready. She obviously is coming off an amazing win. I watched it and I think she played really well and handled herself really well in that situation.”

Famously Eala missed out on an opportunity to win her first career title last year in Eastbourne when Joint saved four championship points to defeat her in an epic final. 

The loss was tough to stomach for Eala, and she talked about it during her post-match interview. 

“It hit me quite hard,” she said. “I cried a lot and I don’t think I was able to watch those highlights for a couple of months. I think I improved a lot in this past year and I’m happy that I’m able to look back at that and I’m able to smile.”