Key Takeaways
- Filipina tennis star Alexandra Eala lost to 217th-ranked Chinese qualifier Shi Han in the Wuhan Open first round.
- Eala, the 13th seed and former WTA semi-finalist, was stunned by the result.
- Shi Han, a 21-year-old with only two tour-level victories, secured a top-100 victory in her career.
Filipina tennis player Alexandra Eala, the 13th seed and a former WTA semi-finalist, suffered a shock defeat in the first round of the Wuhan Open, losing to 217th-ranked Chinese qualifier Shi Han.
The match, which took place on Monday, saw Eala, 21, face a younger and less experienced opponent in Shi Han, 21, who had only two tour-level victories prior to the match.
Despite Eala's world ranking of 19th and her recent bronze medal win at the Asian Games, the 21-year-old failed to convert her first break point opportunity until the opening set, which she won in 54 minutes.
Shi Han, who entered the match with just two tour-level victories, managed to break Eala's serve and secure a 4-3 advantage in the second set, eventually winning the set and forcing a decider.
In the final set, Shi Han capitalized on Eala's fading form, winning seven consecutive games to secure a 3-0 lead and ultimately the victory.
Shi Han's win marks her first tour-level top-100 victory and sets up a second-round match against former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez.
Earlier in the evening session, world number 91 Wang Xiyu, who recently won the gold medal at the Asian Games, defeated her compatriot Wang Xinyu in a near-flawless 6-2, 6-0 performance, setting up a second-round match against Mia Pohankova.
Meanwhile, world number one Elena Rybakina, last year's champion Coco Gauff, and reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, among others, withdrew from the Wuhan Open due to various reasons, including fatigue and injury.
Freshly crowned China Open champion Zheng Qinwen also withdrew from the Wuhan Open, citing a right shoulder injury, while her opponent in the Beijing final, Mirra Andreeva, withdrew due to a change of schedule.
