By Tracy Cabrera
MANILA — Rising Filipina tennis star Alexandra Eala continues her climb in the global rankings, now placed No. 46 in the official Women’s Tennis Association standings, while keeping her sights set on a coveted spot in the season-ending WTA Finals.
Eala currently sits at No. 19 in the WTA Race with 771 points after a strong showing at the Linz Open, where she reached the round of 16. Her straight-sets win over Julia Grabher earned her crucial ranking points and boosted her campaign.
The race is topped by world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, while Mirra Andreeva currently holds the eighth spot—the cutoff for Finals qualification.
Eala now shifts her focus to the Stuttgart Open, where she faces a challenging opener against Leylah Fernandez. The matchup has drawn attention, with fans framing it as a clash between a homegrown Filipina talent and a globally raised player of Filipino heritage.
Despite Fernandez’s higher ranking and experience, many expect a tightly contested duel. Former British No. 1 Greg Rusedski believes Eala has the potential to break into the elite tier, noting her steady development and strong foundation from training at the Rafael Nadal Academy.
Rusedski added that Eala’s growing popularity and strong fan base make her a valuable addition to the women’s tour, expressing optimism about her chances of eventually reaching the top 20.
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