Alex Eala improves to No. 2 in world junior rankings


Alex Eala
Alex Eala (From Roland Garros website)

Teen sensation Alex Eala jumped to a career-high No. 2 in the World Tennis Tour Junior Girls Rankings this week following her breakthrough performance at the French Open.

Eala climbed from No. 4 after a semifinal finish in Paris, where she yielded to eventual girls singles champion Elsa Jacquemot of France, 6-3, 6-2.

Jacquemot's Grand Slam feat propelled her from No. 6 to No. 1, dethroning Victoria Jimenez Kasinteva of Andorra, who slipped to No. 3 after a second-round exit.

Eala, 15, is the only Asian to make it to the Top 10 which includes players from Ukraine, Russia, United States, Germany and Belarus.

The next Filipina player behind Eala is Jenalla Rose Prulla, who is at No. 733.

Meanwhile, Eala’s older brother Miko improved to No. 147 in the boys division.