Alexandra Eala has made history at Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old Filipino defeated defending champion Iga Swiatek on Saturday to advance to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
Eala dominated from the baseline, winning 68 percent of points on Swiatek's second serve and 43 percent on the top seed's first serve.
She converted five of seven break points and saved eight of 11 break points against her.
With this victory, Eala becomes the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round at any major tennis championship.
Emotional Milestone
"It is amazing for me," Eala said.
"I am really emotional and maybe for someone like Iga who has won so many slams or for Serena or Venus [Williams] this achievement may seem small, but for someone who grew up in the Philippines, I went to train with my brother and grandfather every day after school ...
this is everything."
Eala had exited in the first round in four of her last five Grand Slam appearances.
On Centre Court, she controlled the rallies, forcing Swiatek to cover over 100 meters more than her across two sets.
Next, Eala will face former Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini on Monday. Eala previously defeated Paolini in Dubai earlier this year.
Paolini acknowledged Eala's growing fanbase. "She has a huge crowd with her," Paolini said.
"Now on the bridge they were screaming, 'Alex, Alex.' It's so good for our sport, I think, to involve more people around the world."
Paolini added, "I think she's a star of our sport, you know? It's going to be a tough battle.
The crowd, it's going to be there every point."
