Paolini holds off Eala to reach quarter-finals

Jasmine Paolini secured a gritty win over Alexandra Eala to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals and end the Filipina's historic run.

Eala became the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a major in the Open era when she beat defending champion Iga Swiatek on Saturday.

Despite fighting hard to force a deciding set, the 21-year-old was unable to continue her dream run as she fell to a 6-4 4-6 6-3 defeat by the resilient Italian.

It is the first time Paolini has reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam since she reached back-to-back finals at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024.

Her bubbly personality and energy on court saw her become a crowd favourite at the All England Club two years ago, when she finished runner-up to Barbora Krejcikova.

And 14th seed Paolini, who has struggled with a foot injury this year, celebrated with a beaming smile before saying her positivity was her "superpower".

"It was really tough, a rollercoaster. 2026 proved a lot to me," the 30-year-old said.

"There were tough moments but I kept working. Every day I'm feeling better, I feel in the right way when I compete on court again.

"I love what I do but I have to enjoy it - it's my superpower."

Paolini will next face Ukrainian 12th seed Marta Kostyuk, who beat American qualifier Ashlyn Krueger earlier on Monday.

Eala made a nervous start as she returned to Centre Court following her statement win over Swiatek, but managed to make it through her first service game unharmed - despite some wayward forehands and a double fault.

While Eala seemed tense, Paolini looked lively, and she landed a series of fiery winners two games later to strike the first blow.

At 5-3 down, Eala broke back after a handful of unforced errors by the Italian, but slow serves clocking in at around 70mph did her no favours as she was serving to stay in the set, and Paolini took advantage to wrap up the opener.

The pair traded breaks at the start of the second before Eala nudged ahead and, after going 0-40 down on serve, delighted fans on Centre Court by forcing a deciding set.

Having grown increasingly frustrated during the second set, Paolini composed herself for third and held serve easily, while Eala clung on.

But a double fault in the eighth game by the Filipina gifted Paolini a break point, which Eala conceded with an overhit forehand to fall 5-3 behind.

Despite the nerves of being watched by her "idol" Roger Federer, who was in the Royal Box, Paolini served out the win after two hours and 22 minutes.

"I want to thank Roger. In the match I was trying to stay focused, don't think about him being here," Paolini said as Federer applauded her.

"I watched all the finals and tournaments that he played here."

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