MANILA, Philippines — A dream duel against the women's tennis greatest of all time (GOAT) Serena Williams is no longer at the table for Alex Eala at the Wimbledon Championships second round.
Instead, the Filipino ace will face Aussie Maya Joint who defeated the returning Williams in three sets, 6-3, 6(6)-7, 6-3, in their first round clash which ended Wednesday around 5 a.m. in Manila.
About three hours earlier, Eala topped Mexican Renata Zarazua, 6-1, 6-2, to become the first Filipino to win a Wimbledon singles match in the Open Era or since 1968.
The win ultimately set up Eala in a rematch against Joint who defeated her at the Eastbourne Open final a little more than a year ago.
Eala faces Joint in the second round on Thursday.
