Alex Eala jumps to new career-high 31st at WTA rankings

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tennis ace Alexandra "Alex" Eala jumped from 47th to a new career-high 31st in the latest official Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings on Monday.

Eala leaped 16 places in the rankings following her quarterfinal finish at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Falling to world no. 4 Coco Gauff in the quarters, 0-6, 2-6, last Friday, Eala gained 215 ranking points for her last eight appearance, totalling 1,432 points.

Eala, who stunned world no. 8 Jasmine Paolini (now no. 7) in the Dubai second round, sported a net gain of only 205 points, which likely means she had 10 points from the same tournament week or day last year that already dropped off.

Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka stayed atop the rankings with 10,870 points followed by Pollish Igia Swiatek (7,653) and Kazakh Elena Rybakina (7,253)

Americans Gauff (6,803) and Jessica Pegula (6768) rounded out the top five netters in the world.

Pegula, who ended Eala's dream run at the Miami Open semis last year, ruled the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Meanwhile, Eala is set for her WTA 1000 Indian Wells debut this March.

Eala, whose previous best ranking was 40th achieved on February 9, gained direct entry to the tournament because she was hovering between 40th and 47th at the entry deadline.

That ranking is high enough to gain direct entry to the competition.

Dubbed as "the fifth Grand Slam" due to its tournament size (96-player field), and top-rated players mandatory participation from both the WTA and ATP, the Indian Wells runs from March 4 to 15.

After the Indian Wells or the BNP Paribas Open, Eala will make her return to the Miami Open which will run from March 17 to 29.

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