Alex Eala will look to avoid another first-round exit as she begins her WTA 500 BNB Ningbo Open campaign against Diane Parry
But what exactly can Eala expect from her upcoming opponent in their Round of 32 match?
A Breakout Season for Diane Parry
It is worth noting that the 2026 season has been the best of Diane Parry’s career so far.
For starters, the 24-year-old Frenchwoman began the year ranked No. 127 and has since climbed to No. 32. Last September, she achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 30.
Parry also captured WTA singles titles at the WTA 500 Monterrey Open last August and the WTA 125 Trophée Lagardère in Paris, France, in May, where she defeated Madison Keys.
However, since the US Open, Parry has struggled to find success—mirroring the recent form of her upcoming opponent. Like Eala, Parry has been eliminated in the first round of each of her last three tournaments.
Can Alex Eala Finally Get Over the First-Round Hump?
There is no denying that the 21-year-old Filipina has been struggling in her recent WTA tournaments.
Before competing in the final Grand Slam tournament of the year, the Rafa Nadal Academy graduate suffered a first-round exit at the Cincinnati Open..
After being eliminated in the third round of the US Open, the world No. 19 continued to experience early exits at the Singapore Open and Wuhan Open.
In their upcoming match, both players will have a chance to break their first-round exit streaks as they face each other for the first time ever in their careers.
Alex Eala Next Match
Tournament: WTA 500 Ningbo Open
Event: Singles — Round of 32 Match: Alex Eala vs. Diane Parry
Date: Monday, October 19
Time: 12:00 p.m. (Estimated, subject to change)
