Alexandra Eala’s Wuhan Open campaign will get underway later today, as she faces a qualifier in the very first round.
Having narrowly missed out on securing a top-eight seeding spot, the 21-year-old has not been granted a bye, and thus will play young Chinese star Shi Han.
From this point on, her draw does not get any easier, with a handful of in-form and elite-level stars standing between her and another deep run at a WTA 1000 event.
However, there has been a small boost afforded to Alexandra Eala without even playing.
After all, one of the biggest threats in her half of the draw has sadly had to withdraw, thus removing one of her biggest barriers to a deep run.
Alexandra Eala handed a big Wuhan Open boost without even playing
Whilst stars like Leylah Fernandez, Jessica Pegula and Karolina Muchova will all provide ample competition, it could be argued that her biggest obstacle would have come in the semi-finals.
After all, whilst Elina Svitolina would have been the highest seed, Linda Noskova would have represented the biggest challenge for Eala.
She has already enjoyed big wins over the Ukrainian, as well as Fernandez and Pegula. That being said, her record against Czech players remains unconvincing.
Seeing Noskova forced to withdraw from the Wuhan Open will have been a welcome sight for Eala, who will be quietly hoping that Muchova can be upset too, thus forging a clear path for a run to the final.
Who is Alex Eala’s Wuhan Open opponent, Han Shi?
Whilst Eala boasts far more pedigree and experience than Han Shi, her upcoming opponent, she should not be underestimated.
After all, qualifiers will always remain a tricky prospect, as they enter these tournaments with momentum unlike the seeded stars.
That being said, her career-high ranking of No. 200, achieved last year, highlights what should be a gulf in quality between these two opponents.
Shi’s form in Wuhan has been sensational though, having beaten the world number 37 Peyton Stearns in the first qualifying match before eliminating Kamilla Rakhimova to secure her main draw spot.
She will not go down against Eala without a fight.