TENNIS: Alex Eala climbs to career-high No. 15 in WTA rankings

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala has reached a career-high world number 15 in the latest Women's Tennis Association (WTA) singles rankings released on Monday, Nov. 9, despite finishing runner-up at the Hong Kong Open.

The 21-year-old Eala started the year at number 50 and literally rose through the ranks, with her last climb from number 17 to number 15.

Eala overtook Japan's Naomi Osaka, who dropped to No. 17, while Romania's Sorana Cirstea moved to No. 16. Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez is at number 18.

The latest ranking makes Eala the second-highest-ranked Asian player on the WTA Tour, behind world No. 1 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.

Eala's rise comes a day after she fell to American Claire Liu in the Hong Kong Open final, capping one of the most successful seasons by a Filipino tennis player on the international circuit.

She plans to return to the Philippines in December for a much deserved break. She will also have an exhibition match against Indonesia's Janice Tjen at the Philippine Arena on Dec. 8.