Wimbledon 2026 Women’s Day 8

2024 finalist Jasmine Paolini kept her nerves under tight control as she played in front of her hero Roger Federer, with the Italian ending the dream run of Alexandra Eala 6-6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Monday to begin the second week of Wimbledon.

The 44-year-old Swiss icon, wearing a double-breasted suit on a steamy summer day, was a guest in the Royal Box, watching the match between the Italian 13th seed and the Filipina sensation who knocked holder Iga Swiatek out in the previous round.

Paolini, 30, is into a quarter-final here for the second time.

“Roger is my idol, I told myself to stay focused and don’t think that Roger is in the crowd,” Paolini said. “I watched all of the finals he played here,” she said of the eight-time Wimbledon champion who was on a VIP visit.

Paolini, who has reached only one WTA semi-final this season, called her 2026 “a roller-coaster.” She started here last week by losing her opening first-round set to love.

“I came here without many matches. After that set I knew things could only get better.

“I’m going point-by-point, game-by-game. I’m feeling better on grass.

“It’s a weird surface: sometimes you love it and sometimes you hate it. Today I was really enjoying. I hope I can play another good match.”

That chance will come in the next round against first-time semi-finalist Marta Kostyuk, who  achieved a personal best here 6-4, 6-4 defeat of qualifier Ashlyn Krueger to reach the last eight.

Kostyuk, seeded 12th, broke back in the second set against her No. 102 American opponent, securing an insurance break before serving out the victory.

“It’s unbelievable, I’m still processing it,” the winner said. “Today was very difficult, so hot. You feel worse the longer you stay on the surface.”

Keruger had never been past the third round at a Grand Slam but gave Kostyuk a true test.

“It was a huge fight, super windy today,” the Ukrainian said. “It was a struggle to break her, but the last two breaks of the match saved me. I needed them for sure.”

The American came to the fourth-round test with a 16-1 record on the lawns this season. “I don’t think I’ve played 17 grass matches in my life,” Kostyuk joked (she actually has 27 on the surface at the WTA level).”

Belgian Elise Mertens ended a six year Grand Slam quarter-final drought with a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Marie Bouzkova, reaching the last eight of a major for the fourth time in her career.

The modest 27th-ranked Belgian reached the quarters here on her ninth appearance after shutting down her Czech opposition.

“The whole match was nerve-wracking, she’s been having an amazing grass season, coming in very strong” the winner said. “I’ve been to the fourth round four times but never played a quarter-final here.

“I guess you have to be over 30 for that.”

Mertens lost a 20-minute second game of the match where she saved four break points but stayed steady to eventually take victory in just under two hours.

“It was very intense, she brings a lot of balls back,” the Belgian said. 

“I’m glad I could close it out with my serve.”

Mertens was carrying momentum from her third-round upset of former champion Elena Ryakina. the second seed.

Mertens will square off against Linda Noskova, who put out Madison Keys 6-4, 7-6 (2).

Main photo:-Jasmine Paolini wins fourth round match in three sets by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd