Eala improves world ranking

The rise of Alex Eala continues as she secures a career-high No. 280 in the latest ranking of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).

The 17-year-old scholar of the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy climbed two ranks higher from her previous spot at 282 following a semifinal finish in the W25 El Espinar/Segovia in Spain last month.

Eala breezed past Maria Bondarenko of Russia, 6-4, 6-3, in the Round of 32 before zapping Amy Zhu of the United States, 6-4, 6-3, in the Last 16.

She went on to beat Spanish netter Rosa Vicens Mas, 7-6, 7-6, in the quarterfinals to book a semifinal duel with another hometown bet in Eva Guerrero Alvarez, where she lost, 2-6, 6-3, 2-6.

Polish powerhouse Iga Swiatek remains on top while Filipino-Canadian Leylah Fernandez retained her spot at No. 14 in the latest WTA ranking.

Eala is competing against Laura Svatikova of Slovakia in the Round of 64 of the W100 Grodzisk Mazowiecki in Poland at press time.