Alex Eala closes in on top 30 return after Birmingham Open title run

MANILA, Philippines – Alex Eala fueled her bid for a return to the world top 30 with her first title of the year.

Eala rose to No. 33 in the latest WTA rankings released on Monday, June 8, a day after she captured her second WTA 125 crown by winning the Birmingham Open in the United Kingdom.

From No. 37 a week ago, the Filipina moved up four spots as she gained 125 points from her unbeaten run she capped with a hard-fought 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 victory over Nikola Bartunkova — a win that marked her first against a player from the Czech Republic. 

“I’m motivated to keep working. I’m grateful for the part that this trophy has played in my journey,” said Eala. 

Eala last made the top 30 when she notched a career-high No. 29 ranking in March following her round of 16 appearance in the Indian Wells Open.

Her stay there, however, did not last long as Eala fell to No. 45 the following week after failing to defend the 390 points she got from last year’s semifinal run in the Miami Open, covering just 120 points by making the round of 16 this year.

But Eala has steadily climbed the rankings since then, once again cracking the top 40 in May, and now, closing in on the top 30.

At No. 33, Eala puts herself in favorable position to be seeded in prestigious Grand Slam and WTA 1000 tournaments, where the 32 seeds earn a valuable first-round bye.

Showing her proficiency on grass as also evidenced by her runner-up finish in the Eastbourne Open last year, Eala aims to do well in the WTA 500 Queen’s Club Championships that begins on Monday in London.

Eala is set to face Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai, who is ranked No. 64 in the world, in the round of 32. – Rappler.com