Alex Eala far from satisfied as dream Wimbledon run continues

MANILA, Philippines – As Alex Eala reveled in the enormity of her latest Wimbledon triumph, it did not take long for her to remember the task at hand. 

Eala said she is far from satisfied after ending the reign of defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland as she turns her focus to her round of 16 clash with 2024 finalist Jasmine Paolini of Italy on Monday, July 6. 

“[Just] because I’m emotional does not mean I’m satisfied. So okay, next round, let’s go,” said Eala, who will see action in the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

Eala is no stranger to upsetting Paolini.

The first time they met on the WTA Tour, the Filipina scored a 6-1, 7-6 (5) upset of the current world No. 17 and 13th seed Italian on the hard courts of the Dubai Tennis Championships in the United Arab Emirates in February.

But Paolini knows what it takes to reach the Wimbledon final.

Paolini came within a set of her first Grand Slam title after reaching last year’s Wimbledon final before falling 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to the Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova.

“I think she’s a great player. She’s a great fighter, especially. It was not an easy match in Dubai for me. It will not be an easy match here either. But then again, every match is a different story so I’m going to do my best to prepare for that one and focus all my energy in trying to improve and do better,” said Eala of Paolini. 

Eala has enjoyed an outstanding grass-court season, carrying a 12-3 record on the surface into the fourth round.

The Filipina opened the grass-court swing by ruling the Birmingham Open in Great Britain then went as far as the semifinals in the Berlin Tennis Open in Germany, where she beat a pair of top-10 players in Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina and Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.

Paolini, meanwhile, crashed out of the opening round of her lone tuneup event for Wimbledon, losing in the round of 32 of the Eastbourne Open in Great Britain. 

“I think the game of Eala fits very well to grass. She showed a great level also in Berlin. I think she’s a very dangerous player here,” said Paolini.  

“Let’s see how we’re going to prepare for the match. I already played here in Dubai this year and I think it’s going to be a tough one. She can play really well.” – Rappler.com