After ending her streak of three consecutive first-round exits with a win against Diane Parry, Alex Eala is now set to face Diana Shnaider in the Round of 16 of the 2026 WTA 500 BNB Ningbo Open.
So, what kind of opponent can Eala expect to face in her upcoming match?
A Year of Upsets and Deep Runs for Diana Shnaider
The 22-year-old Russian has achieved several notable milestones in 2026, including scoring upset victories over Top 10 opponents and making deep runs in various WTA 1000 tournaments.
The world No. 13 pulled off one of the biggest wins of her career by defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to reach the semifinals of the French Open.
At the WTA 1000 Canadian Open in Toronto, Shnaider defeated world No. 3 Jessica Pegula in straight sets to storm into the quarterfinals. A similar feat followed at the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open, where she delivered a composed performance to defeat sixth-seeded Karolína Muchová in straight sets and secure another quarterfinal berth.
Although Shnaider has yet to win a singles title this year, she did capture a doubles championship alongside her regular partner, Mirra Andreeva, at the Italian Open, a WTA 1000 event.
Can Alex Eala Build Some Momentum
This marks the first time in Alex Eala’s last three WTA tournaments that she has managed to get past the first round, prompting questions about whether she can sustain her winning momentum.
The world No. 20 has also recorded her fair share of upset victories against higher-ranked opponents. As she prepares for another tough assignment, her supporters will surely be hoping to see the Filipina’s fighting spirit on full display.
Alex Eala Next Match
Tournament: WTA 500 Ningbo Open
Event: Singles—Round of 16 Match: Alex Eala vs. Diana Shnaider
Date: Thursday, October 22
Time: 1:00 p.m. (estimated, subject to change)
