Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra “Alex” Eala has climbed to a career-best position in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings following her impressive performance at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.
After falling to China’s Wang Xinyu, 7-5, 5-7, 4-6, in a grueling semifinal match, Eala will move up to 49th place in the live WTA rankings, surpassing her previous career high and improving four spots from her prior ranking of 53rd.
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ASB Classic Performance and Points
As a semifinalist in the 250-level ASB Classic, Eala earned 98 ranking points, with a net gain of 83 points, bringing her overall total to 1,159 points. A finals appearance would have awarded her 163 points, while winning the title would have added 250 points to her tally.
The 20-year-old had a chance to close out the second set in the ninth game but missed a match point, allowing World No. 57 Wang to push the contest to a deciding set that lasted two hours and 48 minutes. Eala staged a remarkable comeback from a 1-5 deficit in the first set, winning six consecutive games, but fell short in the third set after trailing 1-5 once more, though she fought back to win three straight games.
A medical timeout after falling behind 0-3 gave her the boost she needed, allowing her to show off her agility, strong returns, and powerful serves in the decider, yet Wang managed to secure her spot in the final.
Looking Ahead: Kooyong Classic and Australian Open
Eala will next participate in an exhibition at the Kooyong Classic from January 13 to 15 in Melbourne before competing in the main draw of the Australian Open, which begins on January 18. Earlier in the tournament, Eala defeated Poland’s Magda Linette in the quarterfinals, 6-3, 6-2, showcasing her growing consistency and resilience on the court.
This milestone not only highlights Eala’s rapid rise in international tennis but also serves as an inspiration for young Filipino athletes striving to make their mark globally. Her achievement underscores the potential of Philippine sports talent on the world stage, encouraging greater support and visibility for tennis and other competitive sports in the country.
