Eala surges to new career-high in WTA rankings

Sports

THERE’S no stopping Alex Eala’s meteoric rise.

The Filipina tennis star recorded a new career-high in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings after she moved up to No. 31 following her deep run in the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Resetting her previous career-high of No. 40, Eala moved up 16 spots higher after falling to No. 47 entering her latest competition at the Dubai Tennius Championships where she made it to the quarterfinal round.

Eala’s biggest win in the Dubai tournament was her Round of 32 victory over world No. 6 Jasmine Paolini in straight sets. Eala’s run was halted when she bowed to world No. 4 Coco Gauff in their Final 8 match.

Included in Eala’s Middle East swing was a quarterfinal appearance in the Abu Dhabi Open although she suffered an early exit in the Qatar Open.

Eala’s next competition will be the tough WTA 1000 Indian Wells slated March 4 to 15 in the United States.

After the Indian Wells, the 20-year-old Eala will then compete in the Miami Open, which will be held from March 17 to 29.

Last year, Eala had a scintillating run in the Miami Open where she defeated Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek before losing in the semifinal round against Jesica Pegula.(CCM)