Alex’s ‘victim’ advances to Wimbledon final

Sports

A HIGHLY touted player who once fell to Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala is contending for the title in the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.

Iga Swiatek, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, advanced to the final round by conquering Belinda Bencic in the semis, 6-2, 6-0.

Swiatek is a familiar name for Filipino tennis enthusiasts. She was one of the giants that Eala slayed in the Miami Open last March.

Then ranked No. 2 in the world, Swiatek fell by the wayside when she and Eala met in the quarterfinal round of the Miami Open where the Filipina rising star pulled off a gigantic 6-2, 7-5 victory.

Swiatek was just one of the three former major champions that Eala defeated in Miami. In that magical run, Eala also defeated ex-Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys.

Eala’s superb run was stopped when she fell to Jessica Pegula in the semifinals.

Eala actually made her debut in the Wimbledon this year but it was a short stint for her after she lost to defending champion and world No. 16 Barbara Krejcikova in the opening round.

In the final round of the ongoing tournament, Swiatek will take on Amanda Anisimova, who chalked up a massive 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 semifinal win over No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.

Anisimova is seeing action in a Grand Slam championship for the first time. The 12th-seeded American player played just her second major semifinal, coming back strong after taking a two-year break–a respite that she took to deal with mental issues.(CCM)