Alex Eala faces Jasmine Paolini for spot at Wimbledon quarterfinals

PHOTO: AP / Brian Inganga and Maja Smiejkowska

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala guns for her first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, facing Italian Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon round of 16 on Monday (Philippine time).

Eala hopes to make it 2-0 against the world No. 17 Paolini following her 6-1, 7-6(5) win in their first and only duel in the round of 32 of the Dubai Open early this year.

The 21-year-old Eala dethroned defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland, 7-6(9), 6-2, to continue her best Grand Slam run yet.

Eala seeks to become the first Filipino to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal after Felicisimo Ampon pulled off the feat at the 1953 French Open.

READ: Alex Eala emotional as little kid from PH reached Wimbledon last 16

Paolini, 30, advanced to the Wimbledon last 16 with a 6-1, 6-2 sweep of Greece’s Maria Sakkari.

The Italian, a 2024 Paris Olympics tennis doubles gold medalist, had already surpassed her previous finish at the All England Club after beating Robin Montgomery and Viktorija Golubic in the first two rounds.

Two years ago, Paolini had runner-up finish at Wimbledon, falling to Barbora Krejcikova in the final. Paolini, who has three WTA titles under her belt, also reached the French Open final in 2024.

The winner sets a quarterfinal date against the survivor of the Marta Kostyuk-Ashlyn Krueger match.