Jasmine Paolini beats Alexandra Eala to reach Wimbledon quarterfinals. Flavio Cobolli also wins
Jasmine Paolini ended the historic Wimbledon run of Filipino star Alexandra Eala 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals — all with her idol watching at Centre Court
Jasmine Paolini of Italy reacts during the women's singles fourth round match against Alexandra Eala of the Philippines at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 6, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
LONDON (AP) — Jasmine Paolini ended the historic Wimbledon run of Filipino star Alexandra Eala 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals Monday — all with her idol watching at Centre Court.
Roger Federer sat in the Royal Box as Paolini, the 2024 singles runner-up at the All England Club, attacked the 21-year-old Eala’s second serve on a hot day at the grass-court Grand Slam.
The 5-foot-4 Italian tried not to let the presence of the record eight-time men's singles champion distract her.
“He is my idol,” the 30-year-old Paolini said in an on-court interview. “I was like during the match, ‘please stay focused, stay focused,’ don't think about he's here. I was watching all the finals and all the tournaments he was playing here.
“So, it's an amazing feeling.”
The left-handed Eala, who struggled with her first serve, was trying to extend her run after ousting defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round. No other player from the Philippines had come this far in a Grand Slam singles tournament in the Open era, according to the women’s professional tour.
Both players placed ice towels around their necks during changeovers Monday. The temperature rose to to 31 C (88 F) after mild weather in the first week.
Paolini, who lost the 2024 singles final to Barbora Krejcikova, said the most important part of her game is just to enjoy her tennis.
“I think that's my superpower,” she said.
Paolini, the 13th seed, next will face Marta Kostyuk for a spot in the semifinals.
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