Alex Eala enters top 20 in WTA rankings after DC Open win

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala has cracked the top 20 in the latest WTA rankings on the heels of her first WTA Tour title at the Mubadala DC Open.

Eala jumped four spots to set a new career-high of World No. 20 after a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over American World No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the rain-delayed final in Washington.

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“At the beginning of the week, there’s no way I would have thought that I would be holding this trophy,” said Eala.

“Winning a 500 is insane. It’s an incredible milestone for me,” added the Filipino trailblazer.

Eala captured her first WTA 500 crown in her maiden appearance in DC, where Pegula also claimed her breakthrough WTA title in 2019.

In another giant-slaying run, Eala defeated Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen and defending champion Leylah Fernandez in the first two rounds.

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The 21-year-old Eala then swept World No. 10 Elina Svitolina and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka to barge into the final.

Her victory over Pegula marked her seventh over a top 10 player this season.

On cloud nine, Eala won’t have much time to soak it all in just yet as she is scheduled to plunge right back into action at the Canadian Open in Toronto against American Alycia Parks in the round of 64 on Wednesday (Manila time).

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Eala, who drew a first-round bye, is seeded 25th in the WTA 1000 hardcourt event.