Alex Eala bows out of Wuhan Open singles after loss to China's Han Shi
Alex Eala bowed out of the Wuhan Open on Monday, Oct. 12, after losing to China's Han Shi in the first round of the women's singles event.
The 13th-seeded Filipina fell 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to the world No. 217 qualifier after taking the opening set at the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan, China.
Eala and Shi were tied at 4-4 in the opening set before the Filipina won the next two games to take the lead.
The two traded games in the second set, with Eala moving ahead 3-2. Shi then won four consecutive games to take the set and force a decider.
Shi carried her momentum into the third set, winning the first three games. Although Eala managed to get on the board and attempted to close the gap, the Chinese player maintained her advantage to seal the victory in two hours and 27 minutes.
The win marked Shi's first career victory over a top-20 player and her first main-draw win at a WTA 1000 tournament. She advanced to the main draw after winning two qualifying matches.
Eala's singles exit came after her campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where she secured a bronze medal in women's singles.
The Filipina is still scheduled to compete in the women's doubles event in Wuhan with Turkish player Zeynep Sonmez. They are set to face Ukrainians Dayana Yastremska and Anhelina Kalinina in the first round on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Want to catch Eala's remaining matches at the Wuhan Open? Here's how to watch the games.
