Alexandra Eala dedicated her stunning win over reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek to "all the girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks" around the world.

Eala, who recently enjoyed a terrific run to the Berlin Open semi-finals, punished an error-strewn display from Swiatek to triumph 7-6 (11-9) 6-2 on Centre Court on Saturday.

The world number 32 will now face Jasmine Paolini for a quarter-final place, with this being just the second time she has got past the first round of a grand slam (R2 at 2025 US Open). 

The 21-year-old was in tears after her victory as she reflected on her upbringing in the Philippines, highlighting it as the biggest achievement of her career.

"I'm into the second week of a grand slam and it's amazing for me. Iga is a phenomenal player and a really nice person," Eala said.

"Maybe for someone like her who has won so many slams, this achievement may seem small. 

"But for someone who grew up in the Philippines… who went to train with my brother and grandfather every day with my ruffled socks and light-up shoes and chubby cheeks… to younger me, this is everything.

"It is incredible to have my countrymen cheering me on, knowing that we are all in this together.

"This goes out to them, my family and all the girls with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks! It means the world."

Eala, who also defeated Swiatek in the Miami Open quarter-finals last year when she was ranked 140th in the world, is the first Asian in the Open Era to defeat the reigning women's singles champion at Wimbledon. 

She is also the first left-hander to achieve that same feat since 1982, when Martina Navratilova overcame Chris Evert in the final.