Iga Swiatek braces for ‘tricky’ Alex Eala in Wimbledon clash

Iga Swiatek of Poland and Alex Eala of the Philippines meet in the third wound of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships. –AP PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines —Iga Swiatek expects a “more tricky” match against Alex Eala when they meet in the third round of Wimbledon on Saturday (Philippine time).

Eala faces the Polish star for the third time in her career–but for the first time in a Grand Slam competition and on the grass surface— where the Filipino tennis ace has been playing her best tennis so far.

Swiatek, the defending champion, knows the challenge the Filipino rising star poses after Eala reached the third round with a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 win over Maya Joint.

“I don’t particularly know her game on grass. Obviously, you can watch a little bit. But I know how she plays because we’ve played already. She has a tricky game. I can assume on grass that it’s even [trickier] because of the surface,” said Swiatek in a press conference.

The world No. 3, who has won six Grand Slam singles titles, advanced to the third round after surviving Taylor Townsend, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, and sweeping Karolína Pliskova, 6-1, 6-3.

The 25-year-old is bracing for Eala’s varied attack, which has become even more effective on grass as the Filipino continues the best stretch of her career on the surface.

“For sure, she’s using her strengths, the change of rhythm and everything. So I will prepare and I’ll be ready. It will be a good challenge for me because she doesn’t give that rhythm. I’ll need to be ready for different kinds of shots,” said Swiatek.

Eala’s breakthrough started last year when she upset the former World No. 2 Swiatek on the hard courts of the Miami Open, leading to a dream run to the semifinals of a WTA 1000.

Swiatek got back at Eala in the second round of the Madrid Open in three sets, asserting her mastery of the clay surface.