Jasmine Paolini secured a gritty win over Alexandra Eala to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals and end the Filipina’s historic run.
Eala became the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a major in the Open era when she beat defending champion Iga Swiatek on Saturday.
Despite fighting hard to force a deciding set, the 21-year-old was unable to continue her dream run as she fell to a 6-4 4-6 6-3 defeat by the resilient Italian.
It is the first time Paolini has reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam since she reached back-to-back finals at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024.
Her bubbly personality and energy on court saw her become a crowd favourite at the All England Club two years ago, when she finished runner-up to Barbora Krejcikova.
And 14th seed Paolini, who has struggled with a foot injury this year, celebrated with a beaming smile before saying her positivity was her “superpower”.
“It was really tough, a rollercoaster. 2026 proved a lot to me,” the 30-year-old said.
“There were tough moments but I kept working. Every day I’m feeling better, I feel in the right way when I compete on court again.
“I love what I do but I have to enjoy it – it’s my superpower.”
