Wimbledon 2026 witnessed one of its biggest shocks so far on Saturday, as defending women's singles champion Iga Swiatek crashed out of the tournament in the third round. Twenty-one-year-old Alexandra Eala pulled off the upset, winning 7-6 (9), 6-2, and in doing so brought Swiatek's title defence to an abrupt end while also creating a piece of tennis history.
A historic first for the Philippines
With this victory, Alexandra Eala became the first player, male or female, from the Philippines to ever reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles tournament. No Filipino player before her had managed to go this deep into the singles draw of a Grand Slam event, which makes her run at Wimbledon this year a landmark achievement for tennis in her country, and not just a personal milestone for the young player herself.
An emotional moment on match point
The left handed Eala sealed victory with a superb forehand winner on match point, and the emotion of the occasion caught up with her instantly. She sank to her knees on Centre Court in celebration before lying flat on her back to soak in the moment. During her on court interview, as she looked up at the Philippines flags being waved by supporters in the stands, she said, "Seeing my countrymen cheering me on is incredible. The feeling that we are all in this journey together means so much to me. This win is for my countrymen, my family and every little girl out there who dreams big. This means the world to me."
A dramatic tiebreak comeback
Eala's path to victory was far from smooth. She had to save two set points in the very first set's tiebreak before turning the match around and eventually closing it out in straight sets. The loss stings even more for Swiatek because she had been the reigning champion, having won the Wimbledon women's singles title last year by beating Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the final to lift her maiden Wimbledon trophy. This year, however, her title defence ended before she could even reach the second week of the tournament.
Rybakina's campaign also ends in round three
Saturday produced a second major upset as well. Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, was beaten by Elise Mertens 7-6, 6-1, ending her campaign in the third round. Rybakina, seeded second in the women's singles draw, is now the highest seeded player to be knocked out of the tournament so far. Her early exit also has a bigger consequence for the rankings, as it has already confirmed that Aryna Sabalenka will remain the world number one even once the tournament is over.
Mertens set to face Osaka next
Belgium's Elise Mertens, seeded 25th, will next face Naomi Osaka in the fourth round, with the match set to be played on Sunday. Mertens has won the women's doubles title at Wimbledon twice in the past, and with this latest win over a former champion, she has also strengthened her credentials in the singles draw.
Serena Williams pulls out of doubles
In other news from the tournament, American tennis great Serena Williams withdrew from her doubles match alongside her sister Venus Williams because of an injury to her right knee. The 44-year-old Serena had picked up the knee injury this week during her comeback in a singles match. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion wrote on Instagram, "Withdrawing from the doubles match is very sad for me."
