Eala expected to hit record high No. 56 in WTA rankings

Metro Manila, Philippines - Tennis ace Alex Eala is poised for a new career high, jumping to No. 56 in the live world rankings after becoming the first Filipino to book a Women's Tennis Association (WTA) final appearance.

The WTA will release its official update in rankings on Monday, June 30. The tennis star currently sits at world No. 64.

Eala will be stepping into the Eastbourne Open finals court in the United Kingdom and vie for the Philippines’ first ever WTA title on Saturday, facing current World No. 51 Maya Joint from Australia.

Eala earlier outlasted France’s Varvera Gracheva in the semifinal round, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, after a grueling 2-hour, 22-minute battle.

“There were tough moments where she was playing well, and sometimes, I didn't know how to get out of it. I’m really happy with winning,” the 20-year-old player said in an interview after the game.

The Eala-Joint finals match is set at 6 p.m. on Saturday (PH time).