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ROAR. Alex Eala in action for the Philippines in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Open.

MANILA, Philippines – Alex Eala reached new heights as she cracked the world top 40 for the first time in her career.

The Filipina tennis ace rose to No. 40 in the latest WTA rankings released on Monday, February 9, following her run to the quarterfinals of the Abu Dhabi Open in the United Arab Emirates.

Earning 108 points, Eala climbed five spots from her previous career high of No. 45 as she continued her ascent after ending 2025 at No. 50.

In Abu Dhabi, Eala made quick work of good friend Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey in the round of 32, 6-4, 6-3, then completed a dramatic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) comeback win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus in the round of 16.

Eala trailed 0-4 in the deciding set against Sasnovich before she pulled herself together to advance to the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 event, where she eventually lost to Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, 6-3, 6-3.

That last eight appearance made Eala $35,000 (over P2 million) in prize money.

Eala also breached the top 100 in doubles at a career-high No. 99 as she partnered with Indonesia’s Janice Tjen on the way to the semifinals.

Fondly called the “SEAsters” for their Southeast Asian connection, Eala and Tjen saw their campaign come to a halt at the hands of Slovakia’s Tereza Mihalikova and Great Britain’s Olivia Nicholls, 4-6, 2-6.

Eala remains in the Middle East as she earned a main draw spot in the star-studded Qatar Open — a WTA 1000 event — as a replacement for Russia’s world No. 6 Veronika Kudermetova, who withdrew due to an injury.

Having lost her opening matches in her last three WTA 1000 stints in the Wuhan Open, Canadian Open, and Italian Open, Eala hopes to advance this time as she battles No. 918 Tereza Valentova of Czech Republic on Monday.

The Qatar Open field includes Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek of Poland, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, and Coco Gauff of the United States. – Rappler.com

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