Eala at No. 215 to start year

MANILA, Philippines, January 4 ------ Alex Eala slightly slid down in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings to start the year after a loss in her first event.

From a career-high of No. 214 to end 2022, the Filipina sensation tripped to No. 215 as per the newest WTA bulletin to fire off 2023. Eala, 17, bowed to pal Oksana Selekhmeteva of Russia in a tough 6-3, 4-6, 4-6 defeat in the finals of the W60 Canberra qualifiers in Australia to miss out on a main draw berth. The left-handed prodigy actually impressed in the first phase of the qualifying draw with a 6-3, 7-6 win over Mexico’s Marcela Zacarias before falling short against Selekhmeteva. Eala and the 19-year-old Selekhmeteva ruled the 2021 French Open girls’ doubles tournament.

Still, Eala is poised to scale the elite WTA rankings this year, especially the Top 200, with more events in line for her. Since last year, Eala has opted to focus more in the women’s pro circuit instead of further stamping her class in the junior play.

Source: philstar.com