Alexandra Eala’s form has taken a rather drastic downturn of late, with the Asian swing having not panned out as she would have hoped.
Following on from a historic US Open campaign, in which she achieved her best-ever run by reaching the third round, many backed her to kick on, as she did after Wimbledon, and shine in her home continent.
However, the 21-year-old has simply been unable to string wins together, suffering two first-round exits, winning the bronze medal at the Asian Games when she was heavily backed for gold, and now losing early in Ningbo.
A defeat to Diana Shnaider can be forgiven, as she is a very talented player in her own right.
However, it once again exposed a big problem that Eala has suffered throughout 2026.
Ironically, another statistic has emerged which has added more fuel to the fire.
Alex Eala’s worrying record vs left-handed players
Alexandra Eala simply cannot seem to crack the code that is elite-level left-handed players.
She makes up a small contingent of players inside the top 100 who favour this unorthodox side, which also includes Maja Chwalinska, Leylah Fernandez and Wang Xiyu.
Interestingly, Shnaider is another who won her first-ever meeting with Eala yesterday.
The Russian star is the latest to establish a positive head-to-head record against the Filipina star, with Chwalinska and Wang Xiyu having both won their only match against her.
Eala did beat Fernandez en route to her maiden WTA Tour-level title in Washington this summer, but that only levelled their head-to-head at one win apiece.
Alex Eala’s record against left-handed players currently inside the WTA Tour top 100
- Maja Chwalinska – 0-1
- Diana Shnaider – 0-1
- Leylah Fernandez – 1-1
- Wang Xiyu – 0-1
For whatever reason, she seemingly cannot get the better of her fellow left-handed players. Perhaps it is because it neutralises what makes her so uncomfortable for the rest of the tour.
Shnaider had positive words for Eala following their match, branding her a ‘very dangerous’ player despite the relatively straightforward nature of her win.
This left-handed hoodoo is yet another issue that she will be keen to resolve in 2027, if she is to continue her rapid ascent towards the top.