Eala improves to world No. 74

Alex Eala rose to No. 74 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings ahead of the Wimbledon Championships on 30 June.

The 20-year-old Rafael Nadal Academy graduate moved up three notches after joining various grass competitions in the United Kingdom in June.

Eala first started her campaign on grass in the Birmingham Open where she suffered an early exit after a 5-7, 7-6, 1-6 defeat to Linda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic last 3 June.

Then, she competed in the Ilkley Open where she made it as far as the quarterfinal before losing to Rebecca Marino of Canada, 1-6, 6-0, 6-7 last 13 June.

The Ilkley Open so far is her best run in a grass tournament this year as she suffered another early exit in the Nottingham Open last 17 June after she fell to world No. 27 Magda Linette of Poland last Tuesday, 4-6, 3-6, in the Round of 32.

Eala is competing against Lucia Bronzetti of Italy in the Round of 32 as of this writing in the Eastbourne Open.

The Eastbourne Open could be the last tournament Eala will join before entering Wimbledon as only the top 100 of the WTA rankings will be given a slot in the main draw.

Eala’s opponent and the rest of the draw will be revealed on Friday.