Wimbledon 2026 Women’s Day 6

Elise Mertens earned “one of the biggest wins of my career” with a 7-6 (4), 6-1 upset of former champion and second seed Elena Rybakina on Saturday in a Wimbledon third-round surprise.

She was joined in the second week of the grasscourt major by Alexandra Eala, who knocked out defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-6 (9), 6-2 as the Filipina breaks fresh ground in only her sixth Grand Slam appearance.

Former world No. 1 Swiatek did not help her cause with 27 unforced errors in the lengthy opening set. Eala won the opener in 85 minutes on her fourth set point,

She then took a 4-0 lead in the second and duelled through four break points plus three match points in the final game before completing the win of her life.   

Previous best for the world No. 32 Asian was a second round at the US Open last autumn.

Eala will now meet Italy’s double Grand Slam runner-up  Jasmine Paolini, who dropped just three games in crushing Greek Maria Sakkari.

The 21-year-old spoiler was close to tears after his giant-killing act on Polish holder Swiatek, who will now fall out of the ranking top 5.

“I’m really emotional,” Eala told a Centre Court peppered with Philippine flags and supporters. “For someone like Iga, this achievement may seem small

“For someone who grew up in the Philippines, this means everything.

“But just because I’m emotional does not mean I’m satisfied – next round, let’s go!”. 

Eala called the match “One of the biggest matches of my life on my dream court.”

“How many times have I dreamed of an opportunity like this? It’s a blessing to be here. I’ve worked super-hard and if I get my chances I’m taking them.”

Eala dedicated her win to her young fans. “My heart goes out to my family, the fans and all the little girls with frilly socks,light-up trainers and chubby cheeks (as she described her younger self).”

Swiatek was still digesting her dethroning after the battle.

“I was there to fight. It wasn’t enough. For sure I could play a little bit better, but she also played great and she used her chances and she went for it,” the six-time Grand Slam champion said.

“I’m also happy how I came back in the tiebreaker, and also after being a
break down in the first set.

“Honestly, I don’t care anymore about the results. I’ve been so focused on them that it’s hard to continue like that. So I’m really trying to, like, let it go.”

Belgian winner Mertens, a two-time doubles champion here, had to work to close out the 98-minute win over Rybakina, saving four break points and overcoming a double-fault on a match point 

Mertens prevailed in a concluding game of five deuces, sending down a timely fourth ace on her third match point.

“I got many opportunities in the first set to break,” Rybakina said.

“I lost my serve very easily with too many double faults; the first serve was
not really working for me today.

“I feel like the energy could have been better… yeah, a lot of things which I’m not happy with.”

The Kazakh powerhouse won the trophy here in 2022 and blew a chance to possibly replace Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the WTA rankings; to stay in the points chase she would have needed to make the quarters.

Mertens was thrilled with her victory: “I have no words,” the No. 27 said after beating a top 10 opponent for the 14th time in her career.

“I’m very hapy I won, I kept the momentum going from the first set. Elena is an incredible player and a very tough opponent.opponent.

“Closing it out was difficult with all of those (deuces). I tried to relax a bit and keep a little smile on my face.”

Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk will take some small satisfaction from finally reaching the last 16 after losing in her last two appearances here to Madison Keys..

Roland Garros semi-finalist Kostyuk defeated Emma Navarro of the US 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 to make the breakthrough on her sixth appearance at the All England Club.

“I really wanted to win the match but I wanted to enjoy it 100 percent,” Kostyuk said. 

“I’m on Tour for a very long time already. I feel like I missed out on a lot of incredible moments because I was so focused on winning something, achieving something. 

“In tennis it never stops. I play well here, there’s a tournament next week starting. It never ends. 

“I found this formula for myself that no matter what the result is, the most important thing is to enjoy it. I feel so privileged to be here.” 

Madison Keys eliminated 2025 finalist Amanda Anisimova in a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 fightback.

Main photo:-Alexandra Eala defeats Iga Swiatek on Centre Court – by Roger Parker /ISF Ltd