Rybakina advances to Ningbo quarter-finals as Eala exits

Elena Rybakina reached the quarter-finals of the Ningbo Open on Thursday after her opponent, Polina Kudermetova, retired injured during their second-round encounter, marking a positive return to action for the defending champion.

The top seed was leading 5-0 in eastern China when world number 105 Kudermetova, representing Uzbekistan, was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, who was born in Moscow, will now face unseeded Polish player Katarzyna Kawa for a place in the semi-finals.

The 27-year-old enjoyed a remarkable September, winning the US Open for her third Grand Slam title and replacing Aryna Sabalenka at the top of the WTA rankings in New York.

However, her return to competition has not been entirely smooth. Rybakina suffered a surprise second-round defeat in Beijing earlier this month before withdrawing from the Wuhan Open because of a foot injury.

Eala’s Ningbo Campaign Ends Against Shnaider

Meanwhile, Alexandra Eala saw her run at the Ningbo Open come to an end after losing 7-5, 6-4 to Diana Shnaider in the last 16.

The Russian, currently ranked world number 13, secured her place in the quarter-finals, where she will meet promising American teenager Iva Jovic.

Eala, 21, made history in August by becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA title. Her performances have attracted considerable support from Filipino fans wherever she competes.

After defeating France’s Diane Parry in straight sets in the previous round, the world number 20 faced a much tougher challenge against Shnaider.

The 22-year-old Russian, who is chasing her sixth WTA singles title, relied on her greater power to take the opening set in just over 50 minutes.

Eala battled hard in the second set to keep her hopes alive, but Shnaider continued to apply pressure on the Philippine star’s serve.

The decisive moment arrived in the ninth game, when Shnaider broke Eala to move 5-4 ahead before holding her serve to seal victory after one hour and 55 minutes.

Jovic Stuns Paolini to Reach Last Eight

Elsewhere, Iva Jovic continued her impressive campaign by defeating Italian star Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 6-3 to book her place in the quarter-finals.

The 18-year-old American overcame the two-time Grand Slam finalist in straight sets and will now face Shnaider for a place in the semi-finals of the Ningbo Open.