Manila, July 7 -- The standing ovation, despite her fourth-round exit from the most revered among tennis' four Grand Slams, said it all: Alexandra "Alex" Eala has earned global respect and admiration.

The girl who dared to dream big and put the Philippines on the world tennis map lost to Italian 13th seed Jasmine Paolini, 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, on Centre Court at London's All England Club on Monday.

However, she exited like a champion, the crowd behind the 21-year-old whom the match commentator described as a player who is "very easy to like."

The PhilSports Arena in Pasig City hosted a free live screening of Eala's match.

Eala was bidding to become the first Filipino to reach a singles Grand Slam quarterfinal since Felicisimo Ampon at the 1...