Swiatek crushes Pliskova to reach Wimbledon third round; Eala makes history for Philippines
Defending champion Iga Swiatek dismantled former finalist Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-3 to reach Wimbledon's third round, while Alexandra Eala became the first Filipino to reach that stage of a Grand Slam.
Swiatek finds her feet after emotional opener
Two days after crying on Centre Court following a three-set win over Taylor Townsend, Iga Swiatek delivered a composed and dominant performance. The world No. 3 and six-time Grand Slam champion swept past Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-3 in an hour and ten minutes. Swiatek had lost her only grass-court warm-up match in Bad Homburg and is yet to win a title this season, but her display against the Czech was a step forward.
For sure the first round was really emotional, but today I felt like it was another day at the office and I needed to be ready, be in charge and make good decisions.
Pliskova overwhelmed from the baseline
Pliskova, a former world No. 1 and 2021 Wimbledon runner-up, could not trouble Swiatek’s relentless topspin forehand. The Czech won only 42 percent of points on her first serve and 27 percent on her second. Swiatek raced to a 4-0 lead, conceded just one break back, and closed the first set in 25 minutes after winning 26 of 35 points. Pliskova briefly led 2-0 in the second set but lost six of the next seven games.
I’m feeling more stable today — and that’s good.
Eala breaks new ground for the Philippines
On Court Three, Alexandra Eala recovered from losing the first set to beat Maya Joint 3-6, 6-2, 6-0. The 21-year-old, seeded 29th (ranked 32nd in one report), became the first player from the Philippines to reach a Grand Slam third round in the Open era. A large, flag-waving Filipino crowd created what Eala called an “electric” atmosphere. Her team wore shirts bearing the sampaguita, the country’s national flower, and Eala sported a visor with a Tagalog message.
It’s obviously an amazing thing for me to do that for my country. I really appreciate that I’m able to share this with the nation.
A rematch on Saturday
Eala will next face Swiatek in the third round. The Filipina famously stunned the Pole in the 2025 Miami Open quarter-finals before losing to her in Madrid weeks later. Both players will carry momentum into that clash, with Swiatek having now reached at least the third round at each of her last 26 Grand Slam appearances, a streak bettered in the Open era only by Martina Navratilova and Conchita Martinez.
