By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Alex Eala officially starts the season with a new career-high ranking in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
The 18-year-old Filipina teen sensation opened the year at No. 185, five rungs higher than her season-ending ranking.
“Starting the year with a new career high!” Eala wrote on social media Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Eala opened the season competing at the Workday Canberra International where she stumbled in her first qualifying round match against Switzerland’s Celine Naef, 6-4, 7-5.
She, however, is competing in the doubles where she and Brazilian partner Laura Pigossi are set to clash with Italy’s Sara Errani and Mexico’s Renata Zarazua in the first round.
The $125,000 WTA tournament is Eala’s pre-event for the 2024 Australian Open where she earned a berth in the qualifying round.
Eala was dumped out of the first qualifying round of last year’s event.
