Alex Eala reaches career-high world No. 17; Leylah Fernandez climbs to No. 18

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 03, 2026

Photo courtesy: Jhune Estayo | Facebook

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala has reached a new career-high world ranking of No. 17, while Filipino-Canadian tennis player Leylah Fernandez climbed to No. 18 following their performances at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

According to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings released Monday, November 2, Eala rose two places with 2,289 points, marking another milestone for Philippine tennis.

Fernandez, who represents Canada and has Filipino roots through her mother, moved up five places with 2,201 points following her runner-up finish in Tokyo.

The latest rankings place the two players just one spot apart, with Eala holding an 88-point advantage.

Eala’s Tokyo run lifts her to new milestone

Eala’s rise followed her quarterfinal appearance at the WTA 500 Pan Pacific Open, where she defeated Britain’s Mika Stojsavljevic and Australia’s Talia Gibson to reach the last eight.

The 21-year-old Filipina came from a set down to beat Gibson, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, in the second round before losing to Russia’s Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals.

Her Tokyo performance helped her surpass her previous career-best ranking of No. 18 and continue her climb among the world’s leading players.

Eala will next compete at the Hong Kong Open, a WTA 250 tournament, where she is scheduled to face American Alycia Parks in the opening round on Tuesday, November 3.

Fernandez returns to world’s top 20

Fernandez also made a significant jump after reaching the Pan Pacific Open final.

The 24-year-old Canadian faced Shnaider in Sunday’s championship match, recovering from a set and a 4-0 deficit in the second set to force a deciding third set.

Shnaider eventually won 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, denying Fernandez the title after a two-hour, 18-minute contest.

Despite the defeat, Fernandez earned enough ranking points to move into the top 20 for the first time in more than four years.

Her Tokyo finish followed a strong run of results during the Asian swing, including a title in Singapore and another final appearance in Ningbo.

Two rising names in the top 20

Eala and Fernandez are now among four left-handed players ranked inside the WTA’s top 20, alongside Shnaider and Maja Chwalinska.

The WTA said it was the first time four left-handed players had occupied places in the top 20 since September 2015.

The latest ranking marks another career milestone for Eala as she prepares to close her 2026 season in Hong Kong. 

Fernandez, meanwhile, has strengthened her position among the world’s leading players following a successful stretch of tournaments in Asia.