ALEX Eala has found no better way to start the year than by recording a career-high ranking in the WTA, rising four spots to No. 49 in the latest update released Monday.
The 20-year-old Filipina, previously ranked No. 53, surpassed her personal best of No. 50, which she set toward the end of 2025.
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The jump came after her semifinal exit at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand — her first tournament of the 2026 season.
In the WTA 250 event, which served as her initial buildup for her Australian Open debut, Eala reached the semifinals in both the singles and doubles competitions.
Her semifinal tormentor, Xinyu Wang, who won their near three-hour thriller, also climbed the rankings, rising to No. 43 from No. 57 after reaching the final before eventually falling to Elina Svitolina.
Next for Eala is the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne, an exhibition invite that will see her face No. 70 Donna Vekic, whom she defeated in the first round in Auckland, along with No. 121 Priscilla Hon and Daniela Hantuchova.
The non-ranking, singles-only tournament is scheduled to run from January 13 to 15, ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 18.
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