Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala is about to reach a new career high in her world rankings this week.
From a World Tennis Association rank of no. 147 last week, Eala is set for another milestone in her ongoing campaign in the Workday Canberra International Tournament in Australia.
Now reaching her highest at 138 in the live rankings, Eala outplayed Taylah Preston in the third set for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 triumph on Thursday.
Eala, who picked up $4,473 when she reached the the semis of the ITF W100 event in Dubai last month, bounced back from a first-set loss to turn back the world no. 170th-ranked Preston inside an hour and 52 minutes.
The 19-year old Eala, who finished the year 2024 with a total earnings of $297,054, fell behind after after conceding the first two games.
But Eala fought back after Preston took a commanding 5-3 lead in the first set.
The Filipina asserted herself and took the momentum after taking a 2-1 edge in the second set.
She is now in the semis for the second time since December.
The winner between world No. 134 Sijia Wei of China and world No. 176 Simona Waltert of Switzerland will be Eala’s next opponent on Saturday.
On New Year’s Day, Eala repulsed Arianne Hartono of the Netherlands, 6-3, 6-3, to reach the quarterfinals.
