Alex Eala climbs to career-high No. 45 ahead of Abu Dhabi clash with Zeynep Sonmez

Alex Eala’s steady ascent on the women’s tour has reached another milestone, one that places her firmly on the doorstep of the elite.

The 20-year-old Filipina moved up to a new career-high of world No. 45 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association rankings released Monday, inching closer to the coveted top-40 barrier as she prepares for her next test on the global stage.

That next challenge comes quickly. Eala returns to competition late Monday night (Manila time) at the WTA Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, where her campaign begins with a familiar face across the net—Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey—in the round of 32 at the Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre.

While the matchup carries the feel of a reunion, both players know that sentiment has little place once the first ball is struck. Eala and Sonmez share history not only as opponents, but also as former doubles partners, having teamed up in multiple tournaments across Europe. This time, however, they meet with ranking points and momentum on the line in a WTA 500 event.

Their rivalry has tilted Eala’s way. In November 2023, she clawed back from two separate 1–4 deficits to defeat Sonmez in the quarterfinals of the ITF W60 Engie Open Nantes Atlantique in France. 

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EALABAN LANG, ALEX!

Even after a quarterfinal exit at the recently concluded Philippine Women’s Open, Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala keeps on climbing, reaching a new career-high of World No. 45 in the latest WTA rankings.#AlexEala #WTA pic.twitter.com/iGOC6i1O2v

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) February 2, 2026

Two years later, she produced another convincing result, dispatching the Turkish player 6–1, 6–3 in the qualifiers of the 2025 WTA 250 Lexus Eastbourne Open.

Both players enter Abu Dhabi as wildcard recipients, opening the Middle East swing that includes three major tournaments and offers a critical opportunity to build points early in the season. For Eala, the timing is crucial as she looks to bounce back after a quarterfinal exit at the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open, using Abu Dhabi as a springboard rather than a reset.

The Filipina’s campaign won’t be limited to singles. In doubles, fans will finally see a long-anticipated Southeast Asian pairing as Eala joins forces with Indonesian standout Janice Tjen, fresh off a second-round singles appearance at the Australian Open.

The draw, however, leaves little room for easing in. Eala and Tjen are set to face a formidable tandem in Leylah Fernandez and Kristina Mladenovic—a pairing that combines youth, pedigree, and championship experience. 

Fernandez, 23, sits inside the world’s top 70 in doubles and has reached a French Open final, while Mladenovic, a former world No. 1, recently captured the WTA 250 ASB Classic in Auckland and owns six Grand Slam doubles titles.

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