By Kristel Satumbaga
The ranking of Alex Eala improved to a career-best No. 715 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) ahead of her competition in the W60 Bellinzona in Switzerland Tuesday.
Eala, 15, jumped 22 notches from No. 737 last week despite her brief appearance at the prestigious Miami Open. She took part in the qualifiers of the event after earning a wildcard berth.
She, however, lost to Slovakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
This time, Eala hopes to make an impact in the $60,000 Swiss tournament – her biggest in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) circuit after competing in $15,000 and $25,000 events.
As a junior exempt, Eala will clash with lucky loser Margot Yerolymos of France, who is currently ranked No. 323 in the WTA.
Yerolymos, 23, last won an ITF title in 2018 – a $15,000 claycourt tournament in Tunisia.
The French player has so far five ITF crowns under her belt.
Eala, for her part, won her first pro title last January – a $15,000 hardcourt event in Manacor, Spain.
The Filipina player, however, has been making heads turn in $25,000 events including a quarterfinal finish at the W25 Grenoble in France last February.
