Philippines’ Alexandra Eala reacts against Mexico’s Renata Zarazua during their women’s singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala scored a breakthrough victory on the Wimbledon Championships, racing past Renata Zarazua of Mexico, 6-1, 6-2, to advance to the second round early Wednesday (Manila time).
It was Eala’s first victory within the grass-court Grand Slam tournament, improving on her first-round exit in her main-draw debut last 12 months.
Seeded for the primary time at No. 29, Eala survived just a few lengthy exchanges and won five straight games to shut out the opening set, 6-1, against her former doubles partner and the world No. 75.
Backed by a partisan Filipino crowd, Eala carried the momentum into the second set, breaking early before consolidating the break for a 2-0 lead. Zarazua responded with a hold, but Eala remained on top of things.
Philippines’ Alexandra Eala returns to Mexico’s Renata Zarazua during their women’s singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)
Eala then reeled off three straight games for a commanding 5-1 advantage within the second set. Although Zarazua held to like to halt the run, the Filipino tennis ace served out the match.
A troublesome test awaits Eala in the subsequent round, where she’s going to face the winner between the comebacking Serena Williams and last 12 months’s Eastbourne Open tormentor Maya Joint.
Williams and Joint are scheduled to play their first-round match as of posting.
Eala can also be scheduled to compete within the doubles tournament with Nikola Bartunkova against Jeļena Ostapenko and Sofia Kenin.