Philippines' Alexandra Eala serves to Mexico's Renata Zarazua during their women's singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 30, 2026. Kirill Kudryavtsev, AFP
(UPDATED) Filipina tennis star Alex Eala scored an impressive 6-1, 6-2 victory over Mexico's Renata Zarazua to reach the Wimbledon second round, Tuesday in London.
Eala entered Wimbledon as the 29th seed after an impressive build-up in the grass court season, including a run to the semis of the Berlin Tennis Open and a title at the Birmingham Open.
READ: Seeded for the first time, Alex Eala opens Wimbledon campaign vs Mexico’s Zarazua
Matched against world No. 75 Zarazua, the in-form Eala took care of business, completing the win in one hour and 18 minutes.
The players exchanged love holds to open the match, but after the 1-1 deadlock, Eala seized control and won four straight games for a commanding 5-1 advantage.
The Filipina showed tremendous grit, particularly in a marathon sixth game wherein she squandered an early 40-0 lead and played through seven deuces before an unforced error by Zarazua finally sealed the crucial break in Eala's favor.
Eala did not waste the opportunity, holding her serve to claim the opening set.
She surged to a 2-0 lead in the second set before Zarazua got on board, but Eala was quick to recover. She held to love in the fourth game to regain control, eventually building a 5-1 lead with another impressive hold of service.
Zarazua briefly extended the match, putting together a love hold of her own as Eala committed a string of errors, 5-2.
It was her last stand, however, as Eala overwhelmed her in the eighth game, unleashing a forehand winner to wrap up the match.
Eala now awaits the winner of the first-round match between Maya Joint and the come-backing tennis icon Serena Williams.