By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala leapfrogged to a career-high No. 55 in the live Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles rankings after booking a quarterfinals seat in the ongoing Sao Paulo Open in Brazil on Thursday, Sept. 11.
The 20-year-old Eala jumped six notches from No. 61 over the weekend after capturing her maiden WTA title at the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico.
The latest ranking is also one rung higher from her previous career-high of No. 56 late last June after a runner-up finish at the Eastbourne Open in Great Britain.
Her ranking is expected to improve after the Sao Paulo Open, which, as a WTA 250 event, offers more points than the WTA 125 event in Guadalajara.
Eala is scheduled to face Janice Tjen in the quarters after toppling Julia Riera, 6-1, 6-4.
Both Asian stars made historic feats at the US Open, with Eala becoming the first Filipina to win a singles match in a Grand Slam, and Tjen becoming the first Indonesian in 22 years to claim a main-draw victory at the prestigious tournament.
