Eala made a nervous start as she returned to Centre Court following her statement win over Swiatek, but managed to make it through her first service game unharmed – despite some wayward forehands and a double fault.
While Eala seemed tense, Paolini looked lively, and she landed a series of fiery winners two games later to strike the first blow.
At 5-3 down, Eala broke back after a handful of unforced errors by the Italian, but slow serves clocking in at around 70mph did her no favours as she was serving to stay in the set, and Paolini took advantage to wrap up the opener.
The pair traded breaks at the start of the second before Eala nudged ahead and, after going 0-40 down on serve, delighted fans on Centre Court by forcing a deciding set.
Having grown increasingly frustrated during the second set, Paolini composed herself for third and held serve easily, while Eala clung on.
But a double fault in the eighth game by the Filipina gifted Paolini a break point, which Eala conceded with an overhit forehand to fall 5-3 behind.
Despite the nerves of being watched by her “idol” Roger Federer, who was in the Royal Box, Paolini served out the win after two hours and 22 minutes.
“I want to thank Roger. In the match I was trying to stay focused, don’t think about him being here,” Paolini said as Federer applauded her.
“I watched all the finals and tournaments that he played here.”