Filipino tennis star Eala gets plum first round tie at Wimbledon having to take on defending champion Krejcikova in opener

Alexandra Eala reacts after winning a point to Varvara Gracheva during the women's singles semi-final match of the Eastbourne Tennis Open tournament, at Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, England, Friday June 27, 2025. The Filipino star won 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 to enter her first WTA final. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

LONDON: Friday's Wimbledon draw has pitched women's defending champion Barbora Krejcikova, the 17th seed, against rising star Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.

Alexandra Eala, who is the first woman representing the Philippines to be ranked inside the top 100, had already upset Poland superstar Iga Swiatek on the way to reaching the Miami Open semifinals in March.