By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala just bagged her highest women’s singles ranking since turning professional in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
From a previous rank of world no. 195, the young tennis ace is now the world’s no. 191 ranked professional player according to the latest WTA release last September 18, 2023.
Eala’s points were boosted following a series of semifinal and Round of 16 appearances during her last International Tennis Federation (ITF) circuit trips.
Also, Eala’s recent outing during the Guangzhou Open and the Japan Women’s Open helped her in increasing more points days before the kick-off of the 2023 Asian Games.
Perhaps Eala’s greatest achievement of the year so far was winning the championship title during the W25 Roehampton International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament last August 13, 2023, held in Great Britain.
Eala took down Arina Rodionova during the grand finals- 6.2, 6.3- and pulled off a stunning upset victory.
From the get-go, it was Eala who dictated the tempo of the match after quickly scoring a break-point to grab a 3-0 first-set lead.
Although Rodionova was able to re-capture her groove midway through the first set, Eala’s forehand bombs were just in time to help her finish the period strong.
Eala was all over the place and was consistent with her signature down-the-line forehand winners that summed up her dominant first-set win.
Also helping in skyrocketing Eala’s points was her runner-up finish during the Aldershot Tennis Centre in Great Britain last August 20, 2023.
Despite falling at the hands of Australia’s Destanee Aiava during the grand finals- 6.3, 4.6, 1.6- Eala still managed to extend her streak of podium finishes in August.
