FILIPINA tennis star Alexandra Eala, who has reached a new career-high ranking of no. 62, is in the first group of the draw with top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the 2025 Italian Open, also known as the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome.
In the first round, the 19-year-old Eala will first meet Marta Kostyuk, who made the quarterfinals in the Madrid Open.
On the other hand, Sabalenka is projected to meet eighth seed Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals.
Eala’s status came a week after her live Women’s Tennis Association rankings fluctuated between no. 71 and 70.
Eala’s rise followed after Jessica Pegula assumed the no. 2 position, which used to belong to Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek has dropped to no. 4 following her upset to Eala in the Miami Open semifinals and her 1-6, 1-6 setback to Coco Gauff in the Mutua Madrid Open semifinals.
Pegula’s good fortune comes following her finals’ appearance at the Miami Open against Sabalenka and her 6-3, 7-5 final triumph vs. Sofia Kenin at the Charleston Open.
So far, Eala’s earnings for the year 2025 has reached a total of $376,590, or more than P21.026 million after she competed at the recent Mutua Madrid Open.
After picking up $3,370 for reaching the second round of the Oeiras Open in Portugal, the 19-year old Eala emerged as the no. 45 prize money leader in the Women’s Tennis Association’s list for the month of April.
Last February, Eala was ranked at no. 193, earning a total of $46,514 since the start of the year.
Her earnings are expected to rise even more as Eala’s take in the recent Mutua Madrid Open will be added to her official tally, along with her stint in Rome.
Since she turned pro at age 15, Eala has tallied as much as $805,372 or more than P44.980 million in prize money.
