Sports
Why pain of Game 7 defeat won’t define best Sabres season in 19 years
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Pain can hit in such different ways, you wonder why we lump it all under the same umbrella.
The familiar ache of missing the playoffs for a ridiculous 14 straight seasons grows almost numbing with its persistent frustration. That brand of pain nags like a bum ankle but eventually just feels part of the Western New York uniform, interwoven with the identity of a whole generation of fans whose birthright is disappointment.
The sad comfort of long-term losing is a whole different animal from the gut punch of a second-round knockout. On home ice. In overtime. Of Game 7. After quieting Bell Centre on a Saturday night. After rallying from a 0-2 deficit in a winner-take-all and revving the diehards to can’t-hear-yourself-think decibels.
It’s so late Monday night, it’s almost Tuesday. The Buffalo Sabres goaltender’s eyes are as red as the lamp Alex Newhook lit behind his net in the 72nd minute of Game 7, the final one of his season. Inside the home room hangs a giant, stuffed buffalo head and the quiet of a morgue.
“It just sucks. It stings. It sucks. I dunno,” Luukkonen says.
The Sabres have just scored nine of the series’ final 12 goals. They’ve just dominated the Montreal Canadiens in every offensive category of Game 7 (shots, attempts, chances, high dangers, expected goals) except the one that matters.
The Canadiens have won 3-2, advancing to the conference final, where they’ll face a Carolina Hurricanes team that must suddenly remember how hockey games work.
All because Newhook pulled a puck on a low-reward rush, slipped defenceman Rasmus Dahlin into a screen, and whipped a knuckle puck that dipped just under Luukkonen’s glove and over his left pad.
Before shaking hands and saluting fans and answering the tough questions, Luukkonen chucked hunks of his equipment down the hallway.
“It comes down to small things. They got the bounces,” Dahlin says. “F—— sucks.
“One shot decides the whole season. It sucks.”
Why it hurts is because for the first time in 15 years, Buffalo — a hockey town deprived of meaningful hockey — was actually good. And fun. Resilient. And surprising in all the best ways.
When Dahlin tied Game 7 with a snipe in the third period, KeyBank Center jolted to life like Frankenstein’s monster. Your heart got kickstarted long before Mötley Crüe’s goal song had a chance to blast.
The teams in this series — overall the tightest but within stretches the most lopsided of Round 2 — treated goal-scoring the way Drake treats album drops: long buildups of anticipation, then a bunch all at once. And because of that, you expected the pressing Sabres to complete their plot twist Monday.
“I don’t think anyone in this room felt like we were done yet,” Tage Thompson says. “I thought we played a really good game, which makes it even tougher.
“Luuk played great. Keeps it tight for us. Pull our way back into it and felt like we had all the momentum. Just couldn’t score.”
No team in the Eastern Conference has scored more often than these Sabres, who piled 326 goals between the regular season and playoffs. A 327th would’ve kept them alive.
Still, they should be celebrated for their accomplishments.
According to the royal-blue-and-gold hat legendary NFL broadcaster Chris Berman sported to the game, these Sabres were a WAGON. And a whole city guzzled Blue from a beer sabre and jumped aboard for the joyride.
“This is a giant step for us. A giant step for all the players to really get a feel what it’s really like to be proud of being a Buffalo Sabre, to be proud of playing here,” coach Lindy Ruff says.
“You know, when I took the job, I thought No. 1 was I wanted these guys to like being a Buffalo Sabre. I think they like being a Sabre, and I think they did our city proud. It wasn’t the result we wanted, and to a man they’re all disappointed, but they gave me everything you had in their tank.”
Forget the quenching of a drought that lasted since 2011, this was the best Sabres squad in 19 years.
They jumped year-over-year from 79 to 109 points, their most since 2007. They ousted the Bruins and nearly the Canadiens. After years of drafting top five, they finish top five.
“I don’t think you get to this spot, especially the way we started the season, without a group of brothers that want to go to war for each other,” Thompson says. “You’re going to face doubt and hate, and a bunch of noise all year long, especially in the position we were in. And the only way to get through that is to lean on each other.
“We did that all year. We leaned on each other hard. A lot of hard work went into this season by everyone that lot of people don’t get to see. A lot of adversity and a lot of challenges. The physical and mental grind that we went through to get here is why it hurts so bad. Felt like we should have got rewarded for it a little bit more.”
Be it digging out of a self-inflicted October hole, overwhelming the more veteran Bruins in Round 1, or pushing the Habs to the brink, Ruff will remember this group for its resilience.
“This was a team that they never quit. And they probably had every excuse to at times, but they always found a reason to win,” Ruff says.
“The energy around our team, around the city, in this building, outside the building, this was the first time our players got to experience something like this. And I couldn’t be more proud of the way our city represented themselves with our play.”
Tonight feels dark, no doubt, but the future is bright for the third-youngest roster in the NHL.
Local man Alex Tuch, who failed to register a point in this series, is an impending unrestricted free agent, and he won’t be cheap to keep. Bulldog Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs are both restricted and in need of raises. But the bulk of Buffalo’s core is locked up, most at reasonable if not favourable rates. And GM Jarmo Kekalainen has cap space and momentum on his side.
But just because the long-suffering Sabres are entering a window of relevance doesn’t guarantee their ticket to Round 3 will be so close to getting punched.
“The way we were playing, I think everyone in the room felt like we were winning that game,” Thompson says. “We just gotta, unfortunately, take that taste with us into the summer and do something about it.”
The only remedy for this type of pain is winning.
“I told the team it hurts,” Ruff says. “That pain will go away. But I won’t let this one game define the season we had.”
Dmitry Bivol has been ordered to face his next mandatory challenger.
The unified light-heavyweight champion recently returned to the ring for an IBF mandatory defence against Michael Eifert in Russia and has now been instructed by the WBO to face its interim champion and number one contender, Callum Smith.
“The WBO World Championship Committee has officially ordered the commencement of negotiations for the WBO Light Heavyweight Championship between WBO World Champion Dmitrii Bivol & Interim World Champion Callum Smith.
“Consistent with the WBO Regulations and our longstanding One Champion Policy, the purpose of this mandatory championship contest is to discharge the mandatory title defence obligation & terminate the Interim Championship status. The parties have twenty (20) days to reach terms, failing which purse bid proceedings may be ordered. Official order notice to be published today.”
Following elbow surgery, Bivol is understood to be prioritising the Smith fight rather than relinquishing the belt in pursuit of a trilogy with Artur Beterbiev. With both men promoted by Matchroom Boxing, there should be little standing in the way of an agreement.
Smith last competed in February 2025, outpointing Joshua Buatsi via unanimous decision in a hard-fought contest that was widely regarded as one of the fights of the year. He had been due to face David Morrell in April but withdrew through injury, leading to late replacement Zach Chelli producing a major upset by stopping the Cuban.
Should Bivol and Smith reach an agreement, the winner would likely find themselves firmly in the sights of the division’s other world champion, David Benavidez, who has repeatedly made it clear that a showdown with the Russian remains one of his top priorities.
England produced their finest performance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to defeat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in a dramatic last-16 clash at the iconic Azteca Stadium, strengthening belief that football may finally be coming home.
In one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament, Thomas Tuchel’s side overcame a hostile atmosphere, severe weather delays and a second-half red card to secure a memorable victory and book a quarter-final meeting with Norway.
The match was delayed by an hour due to severe storms, but England showed composure and quality from the opening whistle against a Mexico side that had lost only two of their previous 89 competitive matches at the Azteca.
England took control just before half-time thanks to an outstanding display from Jude Bellingham. The midfielder scored twice in the space of 98 seconds to stun the home crowd and give the Three Lions a commanding advantage.
Mexico responded through Julian Quinones, who fired home a powerful effort three minutes before the interval to reduce the deficit and lift the atmosphere inside the packed stadium.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford then produced one of the greatest performances of his international career. The Everton shot-stopper made two superb saves to deny Raul Jimenez and kept England ahead during Mexico’s strongest periods.
The game changed again early in the second half when defender Jarell Quansah was shown a red card for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo, forcing England to play with ten men for the remainder of the match.
Despite the setback, England restored their two-goal advantage when captain Harry Kane calmly converted a penalty after Anthony Gordon was brought down by goalkeeper Raul Rangel.
However, the drama continued when Kane conceded a penalty at the other end after fouling Brian Gutierrez. Jimenez converted from the spot to make it 3-2 and set up a tense finale.
With Mexico pushing desperately for an equaliser, Tuchel introduced Dan Burn and Djed Spence and switched to a five-man defence. England showed remarkable discipline and determination to survive 11 minutes of stoppage time and secure one of their greatest World Cup victories in recent history.
Bellingham was undoubtedly the star of the night. In addition to his two goals, he produced a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny Cesar Montes when Mexico threatened to level the score before half-time.
Tuchel also deserves enormous credit for his tactical approach. England remained calm under immense pressure, absorbed Mexico’s attacking waves and demonstrated the maturity expected of genuine World Cup contenders.
Pickford’s display was equally important. Making his 17th World Cup appearance, he equalled Peter Shilton’s record for the most World Cup matches played by an England men’s goalkeeper and reminded everyone why he remains England’s undisputed number one.
After defeating the tournament co-hosts in one of football’s most intimidating stadiums, England have shown they possess the quality, resilience and belief required to lift the trophy. With a quarter-final against Norway now awaiting them, the question many fans are beginning to ask is simple:
Is football finally coming home?
Mexico-England ended in a 3-2 victory for the Three Lions at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. In Chelsea, on the outskirts of Boston, the Mexican community turned out in force to watch the game.
Sports
‘Rules being applied equally’: After Donald Trump’s Balogun intervention, UK MP urges FIFA to delay England player’s red-card suspension | Football News
A British Member of Parliament, Noah Law, has urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to delay the suspension of England defender Jarell Quansah, arguing that he should be allowed to play in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway.Quansah was sent off in the second half of England’s round-of-16 match against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca after a sliding tackle on Jesus Gallardo. England were leading 2-1 at the time, with Jude Bellingham scoring both first-half goals.In a letter to Infantino, Law said Quansah deserved the red card but questioned why England should not receive the same treatment that FIFA gave United States forward Folarin Balogun.“Whilst I believe that it was right for Jarell Quansah to have received this red card and that refereeing rules must be applied consistently, I believe it would be right to delay his suspension until after the completion of this World Cup,” Noah Law wrote in a letter to Infantino.Law referred to FIFA’s decision to lift Balogun’s one-match suspension after the United States forward was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32. Balogun had received an automatic one-game ban after being shown a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemovic during the United States’ 2-0 win.US President Donald Trump later asked FIFA to review the decision and allow Balogun to play against Belgium. FIFA lifted the suspension on Sunday, making him available for the round-of-16 match.“We know that a similar situation arose earlier in the competition when United States forward Folarin Balogun received a red card during the Round of 32. The integrity of any major international tournament depends not only on players and officials adhering to the rules, but also on those rules being applied equally to all participating nations. I am sure we will be unable to justify a situation in which one player benefits from a delayed suspension while another, in materially similar circumstances, does not,” Law said in his statement.FIFA’s stunning decision riled the host country’s next World Cup opponent, Belgium. It has also sent football fans — and political leaders — around the world into a frenzy over the influence President Donald Trump may have had over the extremely rare ruling.
European champions Spain face Iberian rivals Portugal in a last-16 showdown pitting teen prodigy Lamine Yamal against 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo. Win or lose, the Portuguese veteran has vowed he will be “one thousand per cent” at peace with his career. Follow our liveblog for minute-by-minute match commentary.
Murat Gassiev now knows his opponent for his upcoming WBA heavyweight title defence on Saturday.
Gassiev became WBA Regular heavyweight champion in December with a knockout win over Kubrat Pulev, and after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his unified world heavyweight titles last month, the Russian is now the WBA’s only belt-holder in the banner division.
He was set to defend that strap against Tony Yoka at the VTB Arena in Moscow this weekend, but after Yoka suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw, a scramble began to search for a new opponent.
British heavyweight Joe Joyce was seen as the frontrunner to land the bout due to already being on the card in a fight against Artem Suslenkov, but it has now been announced that Peter Kadiru will be the man to earn the opportunity against Gassiev.
Kadiru has a record of 23-1, with 13 of those wins coming by knockout, and he was last in action in May when he claimed a unanimous decision victory over Senad Gashi.
Speaking about the new match-up, Gassiev was pleased that he still gets the chance to fight in Russia.
“I was fully prepared and ready for Tony Yoka, but boxing is unpredictable and champions must adapt. Peter Kadiru is a big, strong, experienced fighter with a solid amateur pedigree and real power.
“Fighting at home in Moscow in front of my Russian fans for my first defence is special. I will be ready on July 11 and I intend to keep the WBA World Heavyweight Title in Russia.”
Gassiev will be seen as the favourite heading into the bout, and a win on Saturday could lead to a major title defence later in the year.
According to Charania, the Kings worked with DeRozan and his representatives to come to this decision to release him after they couldn’t find a trade that could work.
DeRozan was set to earn $25.74 million next season in what would have been his last with the Kings. As Charania reported, that deal was only partially guaranteed.
As Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported, the Kings will be waiving and stretching the final $10 million that’s owed to DeRozan over the next three seasons.
Now DeRozan’s free to look for a new home with, as Charania reported, multiple contenders expected to be lining up for the six-time all-star.
DeRozan, 36, averaged 18.4 points per game on 49.7 per cent shooting from the field in 77 games with Sacramento last season. A veteran of 17 seasons, DeRozan was first taken ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2009 draft. He’s played for four (Toronto, San Antonio, Chicago and Sacramento) different teams over the span of his career.
European football’s governing body, UEFA, has strongly criticised FIFA after the world football body decided not to enforce Folarin Balogun’s automatic suspension at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The decision means United States striker Folarin Balogun will be available for his country’s last-16 match against Belgium despite receiving a red card in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
UEFA described FIFA’s decision as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable”, insisting that automatic suspensions following red cards are a fundamental part of football regulations.
In a strongly-worded statement, UEFA said FIFA had “crossed a red line” by intervening in what should have been an automatic disciplinary process.
“An automatic one-match suspension is not a discretionary option,” UEFA said. “It is a principle embedded in regulations. When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.”
Balogun, 25, is the United States’ leading scorer at the tournament. Under normal circumstances, he would have missed the knockout match against Belgium after being sent off in the victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
However, FIFA opted not to apply the automatic ban, a move that has sparked widespread criticism across the football world.
Reports claimed that the decision followed a telephone conversation between Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino on Thursday regarding Balogun’s suspension.
On Sunday, President Trump publicly thanked FIFA for what he called “reversing a great injustice”.
The Royal Belgian Football Association reacted angrily, announcing that it would challenge Balogun’s eligibility to play in the upcoming match.
Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, also criticised the decision, saying: “If a phone call is really the reason for this incomprehensible decision, it would be a blatant violation of the most basic rules of football and sport.”
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter also weighed in on the controversy, warning that “football must never become a playground for political power”.
UEFA further argued that FIFA’s decision could create problems for the rest of the tournament, as other players in similar situations may now expect the same treatment.
“Such a decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition,” UEFA added.
The criticism extended beyond football authorities. The European Union’s commissioner for sport, Glenn Micallef, stressed that sporting decisions should remain independent of political influence.
“Decisions on sport belong to sporting bodies, not politicians,” he wrote on social media. “Influencing sporting decisions would undermine the autonomy of sport.”
The latest dispute adds to growing tensions between UEFA and FIFA in recent months. One recent disagreement involved Somali referee Omar Artan, who was unable to enter the United States to officiate at the World Cup before being appointed by UEFA to referee the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August.
With the United States preparing to face Belgium, FIFA’s decision over Balogun’s suspension is likely to remain one of the most controversial moments of the tournament so far.
PHOTOS: AP / Brian Inganga and Kin Cheung
- Alex Eala’s dream run continues against Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon round of 16 on Monday, July 6, at Centre Court.
July 6, Monday – Centre Court
- 8:30. p.m. – Alex Eala vs Jasmine Paolini
Italy’s Jasmine Paolini is congratulated by Philippines’ Alex Eala after winning their women’s singles round of 16 tennis match on the eighth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 6, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)
Jasmine Paolini reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal in two years, edging out Alex Eala in a tense last 16 match at Wimbledon on Monday.
Italian 13th seed Paolini ended the run of Iga Swiatek’s conqueror Eala with a gritty 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory on Centre Court.
“I feel so lucky to have this opportunity and so lucky to get the win,” said Paolini, before addressing the watching Roger Federer in the royal box.
“He’s my idol and during the match I was like please stay focused and don’t think about him (Federer) being here… It’s an amazing feeling to be here right now with the win.”
Alex Eala of the Philippines blows kisses to the crowd after losing the women’s singles fourth round match against Jasmine Paolini of Italy at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 6, 2026.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala’s golden run at Wimbledon hit the end of the road on Monday night.
Eala went down swinging before falling to Italian world No. 13 and former finalist Jasmine Paolini, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, in the round of 16 in front of a star-studded crowd at Centre Court that included Roger Federer seated in the Royal Box.
The loss did not diminish the 21-year-old Eala’s historic campaign on tennis’ most grandiose stage.
LIVE UPDATES: Alex Eala vs Jasmine Paolini – Wimbledon round of 16
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PROUD ANG BUONG PILIPINAS SAYO, ALEX! 🇵🇭✊🏽
Filipino tennis star Alex Eala bows out of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships after a hard fought round of 16 campaign, falling to Jasmine Paolini.
Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/5jtLWKIjAC pic.twitter.com/heLfD1uRTp
— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) July 6, 2026
Alex Eala’s dream run at #Wimbledon ends.
FINAL: Eala yields to Jasmine Paolini in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, in the round of 16. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ
Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/5jtLWKIjAC pic.twitter.com/AU6Vn7LBPg
— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) July 6, 2026
- FINAL: Alex Eala’s dream run at Wimbledon ends at the hands of Jasmine Paolini, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, in the round of 16.
- Eala forehand out. Paolini 40-30
- Paolini 30-30
- Paolini ace, Eala 30-15
- Paolini serving for the match
- Eala out, Paolini breaks, 5-3
- Eala double fault, Paolini adv
- Paolini short on the return, deuce
- Eala forehand wide, Paolini advantage
- Eala lob goes out, deuce
- Eala 40-30
- Eala overhead 30-15
- Eala ace, 15-15
- Paolini leads again, 4-3
- Another big serve by Eala, 3-3
- Eala goes big on the serve, 40-30
- Paolini rallies from 0-30, hits the service winner, 3-2
- Eala service winner, 2-2
- Eala soft touch, 30-30
- Paolini sends it to the other side, 30-15
- Eala forehand passing shot
- Paolini clean game for a 2-1 edge
- Eala hits the net. Paolini 40-0
- Paolini service winner, 30-0
- Eala evens, 1-1
- Paolini out, Eala 40-30
- Eala out, 30-30
- Paolini pounces on a second serve by Eala, 15-30
- Set 3: Paolini gets the headstart, 1-0
We’re going to a decider 🍿
Alex Eala digs deep to claim the second set 6-4 against Jasmine Paolini – who wins from here?#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/yUT77EcARL
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2026
- Eala forces a deciding set, 6-4
- Paolini couldn’t get one across. Eala set point, 40-15
- Paolini scrambles for the point, 15-30
- Eala jumps to a 30-0 lead
- Eala serving for the set
- Paolini gets back into it, 4-5
- Eala wins five consecutive games to steal the eighth game and lead, 5-3
- Unforced errors piling up for Paolini in the 2nd set
- Eala 40-40
- Paolini off to the races, break point, 40-0
- Eala breaks again and reclaims the lead, 4-3
- Eala short, Paolini advantage
- Eala big forehand return, deuce
- Paolini ace, advantage
- Paolini error, deuce
- Paolini volley, 40-30
- Eala slice just hits the line, 3-3
- Paolini hustles for the lob and gets rewarded, 15-0
- Eala out. Paolini retakes the lead, 3-2
- Eala overhits on the forehand. Paolini service winner, 30-30
- Paolini gets one back, 15-30
- Eala backhand return, 30-0
- Eala drop shot, 15-0
- Paolini responds, breaks back, 2-2
- Paolini outwits Eala on the exchange 40-30
- Eala volley to the open space, 30-30
- Eala service winner, 15-15
- Eala holds on to get the break, grabs the upper hand, 2-1
- Eala backhand return, break point, 40-15
- Eala does it to knot it up 1-1
- Eala again up 40-0 but can she close it out
- Paolini survives, 1-0
- Eala errors. Paolini advantage
- Paolini two straight, 30-40
- Eala break point, 40-0
- Paolini winning 75 percent of second-serve points in the opener
Paolini powers in front 💪
The Italian wins the first set 6-4 vs Alex Eala#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/WHUU8NslSv
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2026
- Eala wide. Paolini claims the first set, 6-4.
- Match resumes. Paolini takes a 30-15 lead
- Match momentarily stops as a spectator receives medical assistance
- Eala breaks, serving for a chance to tie the opening set
- Paolini unforced error, Eala advantage
- Eala crosscourt backhand finds the line
- Eala wins the rally, break point, 40-30
- Eala drop shot, 30-15
- Paolini well-placed lob, 15-15
- Eala cuts the deficit, 3-5.
- Eala ace, 40-30
- Paolini baseline winner after overcoming a tough effort by Eala, 5-2
- Paolini forehand passing shot to retake the advantage
- Paolini advantage
- Eala break point
- Eala starting to find her rhythm, 40-40
- Eala fights back and pulls within, 2-4
- Paolini playing nearly perfect tennis so far
- Paolini overhits off an Eala serve.
- Paolini attacks the net, takes a commanding 4-1 lead.
- Paolini breaks for a 3-1 lead.
- Paolini serves to love, 2-1
- Eala levels, 1-1, after Paolini struggles to return the Filipino’s serves
- Eala working the baseline. 15-30
- Eala double fault, slice goes out
- Paolini takes the first game, 1-0.
- Eala ties it up 30-30
- Match is underway. Paolini 30-0 after two straight Eala errors.
- Eala and Paolini, a finalist at All England Club in 2024, warming up
- Paolini wins the toss and opts to serve first
- Alex Eala, Jasmine Paolini receiving the final instructions.
The Philippines’ Alex Eala celebrates beating Poland’s Iga Swiatek during their women’s singles third round tennis match on the sixth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Henry Nicholls / AFP)
Filipinos can catch Alex Eala’s Wimbledon round of 16 match against Jasmine Paolini in a public watch party at Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Monday.
The watchalong, hosted by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), is free and can accommodate up to 8,000 fans on a first-come, first-served basis.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m., while the match, which takes place at Centre Court in London, is set at 8:30 p.m.
PHOTO: AP / Brian Inganga and Maja Smiejkowska
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala guns for her first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, facing Italian Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon round of 16 on Monday (Philippine time).
Eala hopes to make it 2-0 against the world No. 17 Paolini following her 6-1, 7-6(5) win in their first and only duel in the round of 32 of the Dubai Open early this year.
The 21-year-old Eala dethroned defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland, 7-6(9), 6-2, to continue her best Grand Slam run yet.
Eala seeks to become the first Filipino to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal after Felicisimo Ampon pulled off the feat at the 1953 French Open.
READ: Alex Eala emotional as little kid from PH reached Wimbledon last 16
Paolini, 30, advanced to the Wimbledon last 16 with a 6-1, 6-2 sweep of Greece’s Maria Sakkari.
The Philippines’ Alex Eala reacts as she plays against Poland’s Iga Swiatek during their women’s singles third round tennis match on the sixth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Henry Nicholls / AFP)
Alex Eala bids to extend her dream Wimbledon run into the quarterfinals when she faces Jasmine Paolini on Monday.
Eala stunned reigning champion Iga Swiatek with a brilliant straight-sets victory on Centre Court in the third round and now faces the task of backing up that breakthrough triumph against former Wimbledon finalist Paolini.
The 21-year-old has been tipped to become a star of the women’s game since defeating Swiatek to reach the Miami Open semifinals last year.
Alex Eala of the Philippines celebrates winning the third round women’s singles match against Iga Swiatek of Poland at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Saturday, July 4, 2026.(AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)
In a three-minute, 33-second post match interview that she started as an emotional wreck, Alex Eala let the world know what the path that got her this far was all about.
And what making the round of 16 of a Grand Slam event after dethroning Wimbledon women’s singles champion Iga Swiatek means to the now 21-year-old from the Philippines who is taking the tennis world by the proverbial storm.
She first rattled off the names of the Williams sisters and also the gracious Swiatek, who all “have so many Slams,” saying that making the fourth round of Wimbledon “may seem small (to them).”
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