Eala downs Joint, keeps historic Wimby run alive

Filipino pride Alexandra Eala eases through the third round of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships after defeating Australia’s Maya Joint (3-6, 6-2, 6-0) in the second round on July 2, 2026. (Courtesy: Wimbledon)

Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra “Alex” Eala hacked out a vengeful 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 victory against Australia’s Maya Joint to book a historic spot in the third round of the Wimbledon Championships 2026 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on Thursday night (Philippine time).

Eala weathered Joint’s early aggression as she launched her own assault in the last two sets to seize the come-from-behind win in their anticipated rematch in the Round of 64.

The world No. 32 and 29th seed Eala took sweet revenge for her heartbreaking 4-6, 6-1, 6-7 (10-12) loss to the No. 87 Joint in the Eastbourne Open final last year.

“I really had to dig deep, especially after that first set. Maya came out on fire. I was expecting a really good match just like we had last year, and I was prepared for it,” Eala said.

“I think I improved a lot over the past year and I’m happy that I’m able to look back on that loss and smile,” she added.

Eala, the first Filipino netter to receive a Grand Slam singles main draw seed, reached the third round (Round of 32) of a major for the first time after posting a follow-up to her 6-1, 6-2 sweep of No. 75 Renata Zarazua of Mexico in the opening round.

The former US Open junior winner also secured at least £160,000 or P15.1 million in prize money after punching her ticket to the third round.

Eala set up a rematch with No. 3 and reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek of Poland, who earlier made quick work of No. 73 Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic, 6-1, 6-3.

Eala and Swiatek faced each other twice last year, with the Filipina pulling off a 6-2, 7-5 shocker over the Polish in the Miami Open quarterfinals, before the latter got her redemption with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 decision in the Madrid Open second round.

The 21-year-old Pinay needed to shrug off a hot start from the 20-year-old Aussie, who came off a big win against tennis great Serena Williams and fired 12 winners against Eala’s seven in the opener.

Eala found her groove in the second set, piercing through forehand hits and converting a pair of break points to force a deciding frame.

The Pinay lefty sustained her scorching momentum in the clincher as she smashed through her shots and displayed her solid return game for a flawless set.

While Eala only had 20 winners against Joint’s 37, the rising Filipina star kept her composure to limit her unforced errors to just 18 compared to the Australian’s 41.

Eala was also playing doubles with Czech Nikola Bartunkova. The young tandem was battling eighth seeds Jelena Ostapenko of Austria and Sofia Kenin of the USA in the opening Round of 64 at press time. — Jeremiah Sevilla