Alex Eala soars to new high in WTA rankings ahead of Asian Games

Filipino tennis player Alex Eala. –ALEX EALA FACEBOOK

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala set a new career-best ranking in the Women’s Tennis Association, rising to the 191st spot ahead of her Asian Games campaign in Hangzhou, China.

The 18-year-old Eala on Monday rose four spots from her previous singles ranking high of 195, which she set last August 28.

The Filipino prodigy on Tuesday competed in the Guangzhou Open, suffering a first-round exit after losing to  World No. 48 Tatjana Maria of Germany, 3-6, 0-6.

Eala made it to the main draw after beating Liang En-shuo of Taiwan, 5-7, 6-1, 7-5, and American Elizabeth Mandlik, 7-5, 7-6, in the qualifiers. 

The Rafael Nadal Academy graduate also yielded in the round of 32 of the Japan Women’s Open last week with a 0-6, 3-6 loss to home bet Himeno Sakatsume after sweeping the qualifiers to reach the main draw.

She also reached the round of 16 in the W100 Tokyo singles and doubles semifinal with Japanese partner Natsumi Kawaguchi two weeks ago.

Eala will play in the Asian Games for the first time. The Asiad tennis competition is scheduled from September 24 to 30.