Filipino tennis superstar Alex Eala is set to face a familiar but formidable opponent following her victory over Australian Maya Joint at Wimbledon on Thursday night (Manila time).
She will take on defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland in the third round on Saturday.
World No. 29 Eala was outplayed by No. 49 Joint in the first set but recovered her bearings on time to post a 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 and advance to the round of 32.
The Australian previously defeated Eala in the Eastbourne Open finals which was also held in the United Kingdom last year.
Eala’s victory also caught the attention of tennis legend Venus Williams, who was her doubles partner at the recent Bad Homburg Open.
“Congratulations to my other doubles partner @alex.eala for making history,” Williams wrote on her Instagram story.
Eala will next face world No. 3 Swiatek, whom she has faced twice before.
In March last year, Eala shocked Swiatek in the Miami Open quarterfinals (6-2, 7-5) but Swiatek got her revenge on the Filipina in Madrid less than a month later.
Swiatek ruled the Wimbledon last year. ARIC JOHN SY CUA
