Eala still a big winner with ranking points, cash earned despite Dubai exit

MANILA, Philippines, February 21 ------ Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala has bowed out of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. But surely, she will not be going home empty-handed. The 20-year-old, World No. 47 tennister will be bringing home millions of pesos after her quarterfinal run in the WTA 1000 tournament.

According to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) website, the tournament has a $4,088,211 prize money at stake. For quarterfinalists, the prize money is at $98,500, or approximately P5.7 million. Those who were also booted out from the Last Eight — Antonia Ruzic, Clara Tauson and Mirra Andreeva — also brought home the same prize money. This is double compared to the $49,250 to be takeb home by those who competed in the Round of 16.

The WTA said that semifinalists of the tournament will earn $197,000 (P11.4 million); the runner-up, $385,000 (P22.4 million); and the champion, $665,000 (P38.6 million). But money is just one side of the coin for those competing in the tourney. Eala also netted 215 ranking points after her quarterfinal exit. With this, the Filipina is expected to reach a new career-high of World No. 32, according to the live WTA rankings.

This is the highest ranking for the 20-year-old, whose last career-high was No. 40. The semifinalists will be awarded 390 points; the runner-up, 650 points; and the champion, a whopping 1,000 points. After her Middle East Swing, Eala will see action in the Indian Wells Open, which set to start March 4. She is also listed in this year’s Miami Open, where she put the world on notice with huge wins last year.

Source: philstar.com