Eala strikes new career-high in world rankings after Asian stint

After a string of deep runs during her Asian swing, Alex Eala has now reaped what she sowed, rising at world No. 54, marking a new career high since June.

The 20-year-old Filipina improved two notches from her previous world No. 56 peak after her campaigns at the WTA 125 Jingshan Open, the Suzhou Open, and the qualifying round for the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open on Oct. 6.

Eala looked poised for a second WTA crown after reaching the semifinals berth of the Jingshan Open but fell short after yielding in a three-set showdown against New Zealand’s Lulu Sun.

Fresh from twin-decider set matches to reach the Suzhou quarterfinals, Alex fell short of yet another final four seat after being outlasted by Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic via a three-set heartbreak.

Not wasting any time, the lefty Filipina tried to bounce back in the Wuhan qualifiers just two days later but bowed to Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, which dashed Eala’s bid towards the main draw. 

Eala is set to wrap up her China campaign as she shifts focus to the WTA 250 Japan Open in Osaka, from Oct. 13 to 19.