Eala hits career-high ranking of 138

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala zoomed to a new career-best in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings despite an early exit in the qualifying round of the Australian Open.

From No. 147 to start the New Year, Eala leaped nine spots to No. 138 to continue her ascend among the world’s best tennis players at only 19 years of age.

Her previous career-high was at No. 143 last year after completing a twin title in singles and doubles tournaments of the W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain.

The budding Filipina star absorbed a 7-5, 6-2 defeat at the hands of seasoned Croatian Jana Fett in Round 1 of the Australian Open the other day at the Melbourne Park.