Eala exits Ningbo Open after bowing to Russian foe

(Updated) MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tennis ace Alexandra “Alex” Eala’s campaign at the 2026 Ningbo Open came to an end on Thursday after absorbing a 5-7, 4-6 setback against world No. 13 Diana Shnaider of Russia  at the Ningbo Yinzhou Tennis Center in China. Eala, ranked 20th in the world, has failed to reach the quarterfinal round of a WTA Tour sanctioned tournament for the fifth consecutive time. The last time the 22-year-old Filipina made the round of 8 was in the 2026 Washington Open, where she won her first WTA Tour championship. Eala has not barged into the quarterfinals of the National Bank Open (round of 16), Cincinnati Open (round of 32), US Open (round of 32), and Singapore Open (round of 16). After a bronze medal finish in the Asian Games, Eala suffered her worst loss in the 2026 season at the Wuhan Open, when she was stunned by No. 217 Shi Han of China last October 12. With a mission to end her slump, Eala opened her Ningbo Open campaign strong with an impressive 6-3, 6-1 victory over Diane Parry of France in the round of 32. Against Shnaider, Eala put up a fight in the opening frame and managed to tie the score at 5-all. Shnaider, however, broke Eala's service...