By el Amigo
MANILA — The good news is that Alex Eala is back in the win column. The bad news for the Filipina and her legion of supporters is that her next opponent at the Ningbo Open poses a considerably greater challenge.
Eala, the world No. 20, is set to take on Russian sixth seed Diana Shnaider in the Round of 16, with a coveted quarterfinal spot on the line.
The 21-year-old Filipina revived her campaign Monday, October 19, with a convincing 6-3, 6-1 victory over France’s Diane Parry, ending a three-match skid that included early tournament exits in Singapore and Wuhan.
Her next assignment, however, will demand a higher level of play. Shnaider is ranked world No. 13, having reached a career-best No. 11, and has established herself as a dangerous contender on the WTA Tour.
The 22-year-old Russian owns five career singles titles, highlighted by her 2025 Monterrey triumph. She also won a women’s doubles silver medal alongside Mirra Andreeva at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and advanced to the Ningbo semifinals last year.
Shnaider booked her place in the Round of 16 with a 7-5, 7-6(4) win over Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva. Wednesday’s encounter will be the first career meeting between the two left-handed players.
The match is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, in Ningbo, China, although the official start time and its Manila-time equivalent still need confirmation from the tournament’s order of play.
After rediscovering her winning touch, Eala now faces a stern examination of her form and composure as she seeks to extend her run and reach the quarterfinals.
