Alexandra Eala of the Philippines serves to Barbora Krejcikova of Czech Republic during their first round women’s singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala couldn’t translate her strong opening set in her Wimbledon main draw debut after the Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova pulled off a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 win to advance to the second round.
After a blazing first set comeback, Eala lost steam as Krejcikova, the defending champion of the tournament, dominated the last two sets.
“I would like to start with giving the credits to AlexShe was smashing the ball and she was cleaning the lines and all that, so, wow,” said Krejcikova during her on-court interview.
LIVE: Alex Eala vs Barbora Krejcikova – Wimbledon first round
Krejcikova opened the final set with a rousing 3-0 start before Eala stopped the bleeding, winning the extended fourth game.
But the World No. 16 denied Eala from pulling off another comeback, regaining momentum with a 4-1 lead, followed by another extended sixth game win.
Barbora Krejcikova of Czech Republic, right, greets Alexandra Eala of the Philippines at the net after winning their first round women’s singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Krejcikova blanked Eala in the final game and capped her showing with a backhand winner.
READ: Wimbledon champ Krejcikova sees ‘great matchup’ vs Alex Eala
A win in the women’s Grand Slam singles main draw remained elusive for Eala, following a first round exit in her French Open debut last May.
Eala, who recently reached a career best ranking of world N0. 56, was three days removed from her grunner-up finish in the Eastbourne Open, where she absorbed a heartbreaking three-set loss to Maya Joint of Australia.
Barbora Krejcikova praises Alexandra Eala after their three-set battle in the first round of #Wimbledon. | 📽️: Wimbledon
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— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 1, 2025
After pushing Krejcikova to her limit in the opening set, Filipino tennis sensation couldn’t find the same intensity as the two-time Grand Slam champion opened with 5-0 lead.
Eala scored two straight games but Krejcikova was able to close out and forced a decider.
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Eala overcame a 1-2 start in the opening set and won four straight games for a 5-2 lead. She saved four break points in the eighth game only to fall short, but she was quick to regain momentum and clinch the first set.
The Rafa Nadal Academy product is also competing in the Wimbledon doubles with German Eva Lys, facing Olga Danilovic and Anastasia Potapova in the first round on Wednesday.