Alexandra Eala tests defending Wimbledon champ Barbora Krejcikova in first round

Alexandra Eala impressed in her Wimbledon debut but fell short of dethroning defending champion Barbora Krecjikova on Centre Court, the 20-year-old ultimately bowing out, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.

"Obviously the first impression was amazing, just to be there and to have that experience," Eala said after the match. "Walking onto the court was an amazing feeling. You know, in the end I'm just, like, super happy to have had that as my kind of debut, Wimbledon debut."

The phenom from the Philippines arrived for her first main-draw appearance at the All England Club fresh off reaching her first WTA final, but was unable to convert a one-set lead against the former world No. 2, who kicked off her title defense with a two-hour, 10-minute victory.

"Well, definitely very happy with this win because the match was really tough," said Krejcikova. "It's a first round, so it's obviously very difficult to enter the tournament. But I'm really happy that I got through and I'm in the second round, that yeah, I can keep going."

Eala has been one of the biggest stories of the 2025 season, becoming the first from her country to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal at the Miami Open, where she stunned then-No. 2 Iga Swiatek in a straight-sets quarterfinal upset. She nearly repeated the feat a month later at the Mutua Madrid Open and built an impressive grass-court resume ahead of her SW19 debut. Qualifying for the Lexus Eastbourne Open, she stormed into the championship match, where she fell just short of the trophy after a third-set tiebreaker against Maya Joint.

"I've been liking the grass so far," said Eala. "It is a little hard to get used to at the start, especially because the season is so short, and you come from such a different surface, which is clay. I think it does suit my game, and I do feel a bit more comfortable on it."

The Quezon City native, decked out in Nike's homage to the Philippines' national flower, looked to be a dangerous floater against the No. 17th-seeded Krejcikova, who has played few matches in 2025 after winning her second major title at this tournament last summer. The Czech withdrew from Eastbourne after winning two close matches and reaching the quarterfinals, and appeared undercooked in the early goings against Eala.

Eala raced to a 5-2 lead and shook off losing a long eighth game—during which Krejcikova saved a set point on her serve—to clinch the opening set on her third opportunity.

Krejcikova caught fire from there, taking a 5-0 lead of her own and held off a resurgent Eala to level the match at one set apiece.

Eala and Krejcikova battled through numerous close games as the final set got underway but it was Krejcikova winning the crucial points, nabbing a 5-1, double-break advantage that allowed her to serve for the match.

Up 40-0 on her serve, Krejcikova nailed a backhand down the line and let out a roar of relief, having edged into the second round.

Waiting for her there will be either American Caroline Dolehide or Dutch veteran Arantxa Rus.