THE Philippines’ tennis superstar Alex Eala has again risen in the Women’s Tennis Association live rankings from no. 75 to 72nd in the world.
The 19-year-old Eala barged into the Top 10 and assumed the 75th spot following her semifinal campaign in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Miami Open last week.
The uptick comes after Eala defeated three Grand Slam champions, before losing to world no.4 Jessia Pegula in the semifinals.
The new rankings are the highest ever for a Filipino.
“I’m proud of myself for pushing through those tough moments, as well as to have been able to make a statement for the Philippines in one of the biggest stages of tennis,” said Eala on her social media post.
The 5’9” Eala joined the Miami Open as a wild card carrying her previous career-best of rank no. 134.
During the Miami Open, Eala topped USA’s Katie Volynets in the Round of 128, and world no.25 Jelena Ostapenko in the Round of 64.
Then, Eala ousted reigning Australian Open champ Madison Keys, and world no. 2 Iga Swiatek in the next rounds.
So far, Miami Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and runner-up Pegula remain at No. 1 and No. 4, respectively.