Both Rybakina and Swiatek have won the tournament before, Rybakina in 2022 and Swiatek as the reigning champion. But this time both crashed out in the first week of Wimbledon.
Rybakina, from Kazakhstan, fell to Belgian Elise Mertens, who won in straight sets 7-6, 6-1. The first set went to a tiebreak after both players broke each other's serve. In the tiebreak, the Belgian was stronger, winning 7-4.
The second set was straightforward. Mertens broke Rybakina in the third game and then won four more straight games to secure a clear set victory.
The match between Poland's Swiatek and the big sensation Alexandra Eala from the Philippines was largely a repeat of the first clash.
The first set went to a tiebreak, where Eala eventually won 11-9. In the second set, the Filipino quickly built a 4-0 lead. Swiatek seemed to be on her way back into the set by winning two straight games, but there were no more.
Eala, ranked 29th, had already made history for the Philippines by becoming the first player from Southeast Asia to reach the third round of a Grand Slam tournament. Now she continues to make history.
"I'm really emotional. For someone like Iga, who has won many Grand Slams, or someone like Serena (Williams), this achievement may seem small. But for someone who grew up in the Philippines, this is everything," Eala said in the on-court interview immediately after the victory.
This was one of the biggest matches of my life. But I'm not satisfied.
In the next round, Italian Jasmine Paolini, ranked 13th, awaits.
Mertens, ranked 27th, will face Czech Marie Bouzkova, ranked 21st.
