Defending champion Iga Swiatek ousted by Alexandra Eala in Wimbledon third round
World No. 3 and defending champion Iga Swiatek was knocked out of Wimbledon in the third round by Philippine 32nd-ranked Alexandra Eala, 7-6 (11/9), 6-2, on a day of upsets that also saw Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova fall.
Defending champion falls
Iga Swiatek's Wimbledon title defence ended abruptly on Saturday as she lost 7-6 (11/9), 6-2 to Alexandra Eala on Centre Court. The match lasted between 2 hours 14 minutes and 2 hours 15 minutes. Swiatek, the world No. 3 and a six-time Grand Slam champion, had not exited a major this early since Wimbledon 2024.
I wanted to be present in the second set. I made a few unforced errors at the start. Then I felt she was serving slower and slower, and it became harder and harder for me to return her serves.
The Pole broke first in the opening set but immediately surrendered the advantage. Eala later served for the set at 5-4 and held a set point, only for Swiatek to force a tiebreak. Swiatek earned two set points of her own in the breaker but could not convert, and Eala seized the set 11-9 after two unforced errors from Swiatek, who finished with 44 unforced errors in total.
- Swiatek breaks serve early in the opening set.
- Eala immediately breaks back to level.
- At 5-4, Eala serves for the set and holds a set point but Swiatek saves it.
- Swiatek earns two set points in the tiebreak but cannot convert.
- Eala takes the tiebreak 11-9 after two Swiatek unforced errors.
- Eala wins the first four games of the second set.
- Swiatek breaks back and holds to close the gap to 4-2.
- Eala holds serve to win the second set 6-2 and the match.
A breakthrough for Eala
The 21-year-old Philippine player, ranked 32nd, had never previously advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam. She was in tears on court after the victory.
I'm in the second week of a Grand Slam, it's incredible.
Eala will face Italy's Jasmine Paolini, the 13th seed, in the round of 16. Paolini dismissed Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour.
Other top seeds tumble
World No. 2 Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, was beaten 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 by Belgium's Elise Mertens, the 27th seed. Rybakina had a chance to claim the WTA No. 1 ranking with a deep run but fell at the same stage as last year. Amanda Anisimova, last year's runner-up and the sixth seed, lost 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 to compatriot Madison Keys, the 22nd seed and 2025 Australian Open winner.
Men's favourites advance
On the men's side, recent Roland Garros champion Alexander Zverev and world No. 5 Alex De Minaur both won their third-round matches, keeping the top of the draw intact.
What's next
Swiatek's 2026 Grand Slam record now reads quarter-finals at the Australian Open, round of 16 at Roland Garros, and a third-round exit at Wimbledon. She remains without a title this season. Eala, meanwhile, carries Philippine hopes into the second week of a major for the first time.
