A deep run in Dubai has propelled Alex Eala to the highest ranking of her professional career.
The 20-year-old Filipina moved up 16 places to No. 31 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) world rankings released Monday, marking her biggest leap to date. She was the largest mover in this week’s list following her performance at the WTA 1000 Dubai Tennis Championships.
Eala entered the tournament seeking a rebound after bowing out in the opening round of the Qatar Open earlier this month. In Dubai, she pieced together a statement campaign that carried her into the quarterfinals.
Her charge began with a commanding victory over Italy’s World No. 7 Jasmine Paolini in the second round, where Eala prevailed 6-1, 7-6(5). She followed that with another straight-sets triumph, defeating Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 7-5, 6-4 in the round of 16 to secure a place in the last eight.
The run ended in the quarterfinal stage, where she faced World No. 4 Coco Gauff. The American advanced with a 6-0, 6-2 win on Friday. Gauff’s campaign concluded in the semifinals after falling to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.
The Dubai title ultimately went to World No. 5 Jessica Pegula of the United States, who defeated Svitolina 6-2, 6-4 in Saturday’s championship match.
