Wimbledon 2025 Women’s Singles First round: Barbora Krejcikova vs. Alexandra Eala preview, prediction, and live stream

Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova will take on young sensation Alexandra Eala for the first time at Wimbledon.

Wimbledon 2025 Women’s Singles First round: Barbora Krejcikova vs. Alexandra Eala preview, prediction, and live stream

Barbora Krejcikova and Alexandra Eala (X/Barbora Krejcikova/GMA Network)

Reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova will open her title defense against Alexandra Eala in one of the first-round memorable clashes at the All England Club. The Czech Republic star has struggled with injury since claiming the title last July, but will hope to prove that she’s the defending champion.

Fresh off a historic runner-up finish in Eastbourne, Eala will have a quick turnaround as she’s set to become the first Filipino in the Open Era to play in the singles main draw of the Wimbledon Championship. The 20-year-old star has a mountainous task at the tournament and will be relishing for her first win in a Grand Slam event.

Barbora Krejcikova vs. Alexandra Eala: Match Details

  • Tournament: Wimbledon 2025
  • Match: Barbora Krejcikova vs. Alexandra Eala
  • Round: First round
  • Date: July 1, 2025
  • Time: TBD
  • Venue: Wimbledon, Center Court
  • Surface: Outdoor Grass

Barbora Krejcikova vs. Alexandra Eala: Match Preview

Barbora Krejcikova missed the first five months of the 2025 season due to a back injury that has troubled her. In fact, since winning the Wimbledon Championship in July last year, her best result has been a quarter-final finish at the Paris Olympics last year and the Eastbourne International this past week.

She returned to the tour at the Strasbourg Open before the French Open, but only managed to secure a win against Tatjana Maria at the French Open before arriving at Eastbourne. At the WTA 250 tournament, she claimed two three-set victories before withdrawing from her quarter-finals clash against French star Varvara Gracheva.

Barbora Krejcikova (via X/Wimbledon)
Barbora Krejcikova (via X/Wimbledon)

On the other hand, Alexandra Eala was simply unknown on tour until the Miami Open in March. At the WTA 1000 tournament, the Filipino captured the tennis world’s attention by defeating three Grand Slam champions, Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek, to reach the Miami Open semi-finals.

After that, she experienced some struggle on the court as she failed to reach a tour-level quarter-final until Eastbourne International. At Eastbourne, she enjoyed an excellent run from the qualifying round and reached her maiden tour final against Maya Joint. However, she lost to the 19-year-old Australian in three sets, finishing as runners-up.

Barbora Krejcikova vs. Alexandra Eala: Match Prediction

This will be the first meeting between Barbora Krejcikova and Alexandra Eala on tour, which means their head-to-head record is 0-0 currently. However, Krejcikova cannot be underestimated as she’s capable of beating anyone in the WTA. The former World No.2 combines an aggressive brand of play, characterized by powerful groundstrokes that allow her to pick her spots to go for the winner against her opponents.

Alex Eala
Alex Eala (via GMA Network)

She also employs a lot of variety of shots that tend to confuse her opponents. Nonetheless, Eala will aim to test how Krejcikova’s body responds to the urgency of retrieving shots from corner to corner, as she will force the Czech Republic star to long rallies. The Filipino star will also note that the defending champion has just played in four tournaments in over seven months and she’s still struggling with an injury.

But it will also be interesting to see how Eala has recovered, physically and mentally, from the Eastbourne final loss. She was in tears after the match and very sad about the defeat. Also, she played seven matches at the tournament, including two in the qualifying rounds. Krejcikova will be searching for any sign of fatigue from the 20-year-old when they meet.

Match Prediction: Barbora Krejcikova to win three sets.

Barbora Krejcikova vs. Alexandra Eala: Live stream details

  • USA: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, ABC, Tennis Channel
  • UK and Europe (Except France): BBC, Eurosport, TNT Sports
  • France: beIN Sports France
  • Australia: Nine & Stan Sport
  • Canada: ESPN International, TSN/RDS
  • India: Disney+Hotstar

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