MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala’s historic Wimbledon campaign ended Monday after the Filipino tennis star lost to world No. 13 Jasmine Paolini of Italy, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, in the women’s singles round of 16 at Centre Court.
Paolini advanced to the quarterfinals, where she will face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk on Wednesday.
Despite the defeat, Eala completed her best Grand Slam run, becoming the first Filipino to reach the round of 16 of a Grand Slam singles tournament.
The 21-year-old earned the milestone after upsetting defending Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek in straight sets in the third round.
Paolini avenged her earlier loss to Eala after the Filipino defeated the Italian in the round of 32 of the Dubai Tennis Championships in February.
The match was played before a star-studded Centre Court crowd that included eight-time Wimbledon men’s singles champion Roger Federer, who received a warm reception from spectators in the Royal Box.
Federer attended Wimbledon on the 18th anniversary of his memorable five-set final against Rafael Nadal in 2008.
Eala received a standing ovation from the Centre Court crowd following the match, capping a breakthrough Wimbledon campaign that further established her as one of the sport’s rising stars.
