Teenage sensation Alexandra Eala shocks defending champion Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon Twenty-one-year-old Alexandra Eala stunned defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round of Wimbledon 2026 to become the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles event. On the same day, Elena Rybakina also crashed out to Elise Mertens, while Serena Williams withdrew from her doubles match due to injury. 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." What this means for you • For tennis fans: After this upset at Wimbledon, attention now shifts to Sunday's fourth round clash between Elise Mertens and Naomi Osaka, while it is already confirmed that Aryna Sabalenka will remain the world number one even after the tournament ends. Questions & Answers 1. Who beat whom in the third round of Wimbledon 2026? 21-year-old Alexandra Eala beat defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6 (9), 6-2. 2. What makes Alexandra Eala's win historic? She became the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles event. 3. How did Iga Swiatek win her previous Wimbledon title? She beat Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the final to become Wimbledon champion for the first time. 4. What was the second big upset of the day? 2022 champion Elena Rybakina was beaten by Elise Mertens 7-6, 6-1. 5. What is the impact of Rybakina's loss on the rankings? It confirmed that Aryna Sabalenka will remain the world number one even after the tournament ends. 6. Who will Elise Mertens play next, and when? She will face Naomi Osaka in the fourth round on Sunday. 7. Why did Serena Williams withdraw from her doubles match? She pulled out due to a right knee injury sustained while making a comeback in a singles match this week. Inspiration & Lessons Alexandra Eala's win is about much more than a single match, and it carries lessons anyone can apply. • Daring to do what has never been done: No player from the Philippines had ever reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles event before her, yet she carved out this new milestone. • Staying composed under pressure: Saving two set points in the very first set's tiebreak showed that a comeback is possible even in the toughest moments. • Drawing strength from loved ones: She dedicated the win to her countrymen and family, a reminder that support from those close to you can be the foundation of a big achievement. • Playing for something bigger than yourself: Eala dedicated the win to every little girl who dreams big, showing that turning your success into inspiration for others matters just as much as the win itself. https://trendkia.com/en/tennis/philipinsa-ki-21-varshiya-stara-ne-wimbledon-men-racha-itihasa-swiatek-huin-bahara-4844 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.