Alex Eala bows out of Ningbo Open after tough second-round loss to Shnaider

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 23, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

Filipino tennis star Alexandra “Alex” Eala saw her campaign at the 2026 Ningbo Open come to an end after losing to sixth-seeded Diana Shnaider of Russia, 5-7, 4-6, on Thursday, October 22.

The 21-year-old Filipina pushed her higher-ranked opponent throughout the one-hour, 55-minute match at the Yinzhou Tennis Center but fell short of securing a quarterfinal berth in the WTA 500 tournament.

Eala, ranked world No. 20, entered the match hoping to build on her opening-round victory over France’s Diane Parry, whom she defeated 6-3, 6-1.

Against Shnaider, however, the Filipina faced a tougher challenge.

The opening set remained close as both players held serve through the first eight games. Shnaider broke Eala in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead, but the Filipina immediately responded with a break of her own to level the score.

Shnaider regained the advantage and eventually secured the set, 7-5.

Eala continued to challenge the Russian in the second set, recovering from early breaks of serve and moving ahead 4-3.

She had an opportunity to extend her lead but could not convert a break point in the following game. Shnaider capitalized on the missed chance, winning three consecutive games to close out the match.

The final game proved particularly competitive, with Eala saving six match points and earning two opportunities to break Shnaider’s serve.

Despite her resistance, the Russian converted her seventh match point to secure the victory.

The defeat ended Eala’s bid to reach the quarterfinals after an encouraging start in Ningbo.

Her opening-round victory over Parry had provided a welcome result following a difficult stretch that included early tournament exits in Wuhan and Singapore.

Eala also entered the tournament after earning a bronze medal in women’s singles at the Nagoya Asian Games in September.

Meanwhile, Shnaider advanced to the Ningbo quarterfinals for the third time in four appearances. The world No. 13 will next face fourth seed Iva Jovic of the United States, who defeated Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, 6-4, 6-3.

Other players reaching the last eight include Canada’s Leylah Fernandez and Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova.

Fernandez advanced after defeating Aliaksandra Sasnovich in three sets, while Bouzkova secured her place with a straight-sets victory over Anastasia Zakharova.

Eala’s exit leaves her without a quarterfinal appearance in Ningbo, although her first-round win marked a return to the winning column following her recent tournament setbacks.