Manila: Filipino lawyer Jessica Agra has achieved a career-best ranking of No. 159 in the International Padel Federation (FIP) world rankings after advancing to the semifinal round of a Bronze category event in Bali, Indonesia, last Sunday. Agra and her Russian partner Alena Vasileva were defeated by the second seeds Ainize Santamaria Landa of Spain and Angelina Neizvestnaya of Russia, with scores of 1-6, 4-6.
According to Philippines News Agency, Santamaria Landa and Neizvestnaya were unable to capture the title, losing to top seeds Carla Fito Fernandez and Patricia Araus Lopez of Spain, 1-6, 2-6, in the final match. Fito Fernandez and Araus Lopez had previously bested the Japanese team of Yoshino Kushima and Kae Tokumoto, 6-3, 6-2, in the semifinals.
Agra expressed her satisfaction in reaching her third semifinal in a FIP Bronze tournament, noting that the match was a rematch of her last FIP semifinal in Hong Kong with the same partner and opponents. Despite their defeat, Agra was pleased with their performance, particularly in the second set, and remains optimistic about her progress in the sport.
Currently ranked No. 159 with 113 points, Agra is one of only three players from Asia within the Top 200 of the rankings, alongside Japan's Kotomi Ozawa at No. 168 with 101 points and Kae Tokumoto at No. 189 with 79 points. Agra reflected on her journey, which began as a way to stay active after retiring from tennis in 2013, and expressed her gratitude for the opportunities and progress in her padel career.
Agra is set to compete next in the FIP Bronze Reap Phuket by Asia Padel Events in Thailand this weekend, partnering with Russian player Anastasiia Ryzhova. Earlier this year, Agra reached the quarterfinals in multiple FIP tournaments, including the FIP Silver Melbourne, FIP Bronze Hong Kong, FIP Bronze Manila, and FIP Silver Dubai.
In June 2024, Agra claimed the No. 1 spot in the Asia Pacific Padel Tour rankings with 2980 points, following a runner-up finish with Spanish partner Maria Mayoral Estrada at the Bali Open in Indonesia. Padel, a sport originating from Mexico, combines elements of tennis and squash and is typically played in doubles on a court enclosed with glass and metal mesh walls.
