Krejcikova battles back against rising star Eala to win Wimbledon opener

Defending Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova powered back from a set down to beat Philippines star Alexandra Eala in the first round on Tuesday.

The Czech was outplayed in the first set but lost just three more games as she completed a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 win on Centre Court.

Eala, a finalist on the grass at Eastbourne last week, broke Krejcikova twice in the first set to take an early grip on the match, producing a succession of fizzing deep groundstrokes.

The rusty Krejcikova made 19 unforced errors in an untidy display, struggling to find rhythm with her ball toss on the baking court.

But the 2024 champion quickly gained a foothold in the second set and raced into a 5-0 lead, eventually taking the set as she cut her error count drastically.

The world number 16 stayed in the groove in the decider, wrapping up the match with a powerful backhand down the line.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Krejcikova has endured a difficult time since defeating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon final last year, playing just six matches in 2025 before her Wimbledon opener on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old was out of action until May after suffering a back injury and lost in the second round of the recent French Open.

Krejcikova pulled out of last week’s Eastbourne Open before the quarter-finals with a thigh problem.

At the same tournament Eala, ranked 56th in the world, became the first Filipina to reach a WTA final.