Day 6 of Wimbledon delivered one of the biggest shocks of the Championships so far, with both finalists from last year’s women’s final crashing out of the tournament. Alex Eala produced the biggest win of her career to defeat defending champion Iga Swiatek, while Elena Rybakina also bowed out as the women’s draw was blown wide open. Here, QualityShot tennis journalist Ben Phillips looks into a day of shock exits and mammoth matches.
Eala produces career-defining victory
Alex Eala continued her remarkable rise with a stunning 7-6(9), 6-2 victory over Iga Swiatek. The Filipina displayed fearless attacking tennis throughout, edging a dramatic opening-set tie-break before dominating the second set to secure the biggest win of her career.
After the match, we asked Swiatek how mentally difficult it was to lose such a closely contested first set.
“I think it was harder for me to accept the missed returns from the slow serves,” she admitted.
The answer highlighted Swiatek’s analytical approach to the game. Rather than dwelling on the defeat itself, she immediately focused on the technical aspects of her performance and the areas she felt had cost her the match.
We also asked Eala why she seems to be such a difficult opponent for the world No. 1.
“Well, that’s a really flattering thing to hear,” she said. “I’m a very aggressive player, so I try and take all the opportunities I can and on grass try to step in.”
That aggressive mindset was evident throughout the contest as Eala consistently took the ball early and refused to allow Swiatek to settle into her rhythm.
Rybakina also departs
Former Wimbledon champion and second seed Elena Rybakina joined Swiatek on the list of high-profile exits after falling to Elise Mertens 7-6, 6-1.
The opening set proved decisive. Rybakina created several opportunities to take control but was unable to convert them before Mertens edged the tie-break. From that point onwards, the Belgian controlled proceedings as Rybakina struggled to recover.
Speaking afterwards, Rybakina reflected on the missed opportunities that ultimately proved costly.
“Well I got many chances in the first set to break then I lost my serve easily with too many double faults.”
It was an honest assessment from the 2022 champion, whose serve deserted her at the most important moments.
Keys ends Anisimova’s run
The other semi-finalist from last year’s Championships, Amanda Anisimova, also exited the tournament after a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 defeat to Madison Keys.
After dropping the opening set, Keys raised her level considerably, using her powerful serve and forehand to dictate play and complete an impressive comeback victory. The American now looks like one of the leading contenders in an increasingly unpredictable women’s draw.
Marathon matches entertain on the men’s side
The men’s draw produced several thrilling five-set encounters, providing plenty of entertainment for the Wimbledon crowd.
Grigor Dimitrov survived a stern examination from Matteo Berrettini, eventually coming through 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3 after seeing his two-set lead disappear.
Alexander Bublik also advanced after a dramatic battle against Frances Tiafoe, winning 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 in another contest that swung repeatedly in momentum.
British wildcard Arthur Fery delighted the home fans with a remarkable comeback victory over Zizou Bergs, recovering to win 2-6, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6, 7-6 in one of the most dramatic matches of the day.
Flavio Cobolli completed another incredible turnaround, bouncing back after losing the opening set 6-0 to defeat Karen Khachanov 0-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2.
With several of the pre-tournament favourites now out of the Championships, the race for both singles titles has become even more intriguing as Wimbledon heads into the second week.
Looking ahead to day 7
Attention now turns to Day 7, where the world’s top players will look to continue their progress into the quarter-finals.
Top seed Jannik Sinner faces Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki, while seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic takes on another qualifier in Roman Safiullin. Both Sinner and Djokovic will start as strong favourites, but their opponents have already shown they are capable of producing impressive tennis to reach the fourth round.
On the women’s side, Jessica Pegula continues her campaign against 18-year-old American Iva Jovic. Pegula’s experience makes her the favourite, but Jovic has enjoyed a breakthrough run at the All England Club and will be hoping to produce another upset.
