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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider 'Energetic' Eala surges to career-best No. 38 in WTA live rankings

'Energetic' Eala surges to career-best No. 38 in WTA live rankings

Published Feb 5, 2026 03:35 pm

At A Glance

  • After her quarterfinals entry in both the singles and doubles events of the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open, Eala achieved another breakthrough after reaching a career-high No. 38 in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) live rankings.
(WTA)
(WTA)
Alex Eala showed no signs of slowing down.
After her quarterfinals entry in both the singles and doubles events of the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open, Eala achieved another breakthrough after reaching a career-high No. 38 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) live rankings.
The 20-year-old Eala rose seven notches with 1,244 points to secure her highest position in the elite women’s list and could get higher if she moves forward in the tournament.
Just a few days ago, Eala broke into the Top 50 as she secured the No. 45 spot despite her quarters exit in the inaugural WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open after bowing to eventual champion Colombian Camila Osorio.
But Southeast Asia’s finest netter still has business to attend to on Arab soil, facing a hectic gameday, with back-to-back singles and doubles quarterfinals later Thursday, Feb. 5.
Earlier, Eala grinded out a come-from-behind 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7) victory over fellow unseeded Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich in Round of 16 last Wednesday, setting up a quarters clash against No. 2 seed Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova.
“Survived this one, thanks guys:)” Eala wrote on her Instagram post.
“I’m so happy I can't believe it. Grabe napasubok talaga ‘yong tibay ng dibdib ko,” Eala said during post-game interview. “At siguro kayo rin, kaya congrats mga kababayan. Mabuhay, maraming salamat po.”
A couple of hours after her singles quest, Eala struts her wares anew in the doubles with her Indonesian partner Janice Tjen as the two Southeast Asian bets tangle with Spain’s Cristina Bucsa and China’s Shuai Zhang.
The Southeast Asian bets previously survived Leylah Fernandez and Kristina Mladenovic, 7-5, 3-6, 10-6.
There’s no rest for weary Eala
When all is set and done in Abu Dhabi, Eala will continue her Middle East swing as she takes part in the Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships later this month.
This would be another opportunity for Eala to make waves against the world's best as the two competitions are rated WTA 1000 events.
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