Alex Eala owns wins over all three Paris Olympic medalists

(L-R) Silver medalist, Croatia’s Donna Vekic, gold medallist, China’s Zheng Qinwen and bronze medallist, Poland’s Iga Swiatek pose with their medals on the podium at the presentation at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris on August 3, 2024. (Photo by CARL DE SOUZA / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala has been making history for the Philippines since her breakout on the WTA Tour.

On Wednesday, she added another unique achievement to her growing list: Eala has now defeated all three medalists in the women’s singles event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Eala defeated China’s Qinwen Zheng, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, to open her Mubadala DC Open campaign in Washington. Zheng, a former world No. 4, is the reigning Olympic gold medalist.

Eala has also beaten bronze medalist Iga Swiatek twice in three meetings, including her stunning Wimbledon victory over the world No. 2 that ended the defending champion’s reign.

She also owns victories over Croatia’s Donna Vekic, the Olympic silver medalist, in the first round of the ASB Classic and the Berlin Open.

With wins over all three Olympic medalists, hopes are high that Eala will one day represent the Philippines in the Olympic Games.

Eala previously won gold at the Southeast Asian Games and captured a bronze medal in her Asian Games debut in 2023, where Zheng went on to win the title.

She has also said she is keen on representing the Philippines at this year’s Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.