Wang Xinyu exits Rome after straight-sets loss to Eala in second round
Synopsis
Wang Xinyu's promising start in Rome unraveled as Alexandra Eala seized control mid-match, converting a 3-0 deficit into a 6-4, 6-3 straight-sets victory. Wang's early aggression gave way to unforced errors at critical junctures, a pattern the Chinese player acknowledged post-match. Meanwhile, top seeds Sabalenka and Paolini cruised through, though Italian hopes dimmed with Berrettini and Tsitsipas both exiting early.
Key Takeaways
Wang Xinyu lost to Alexandra Eala 6-4, 6-3 in the WTA Italian Open second round on Friday.
Wang led 3-0 in the opening set but surrendered four consecutive games as Eala raised her intensity.
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Barbora Krejcikova 6-2, 6-3 , hitting 29 winners .
Jasmine Paolini survived a three-hour battle against Leolia Jeanjean , winning 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4 .
Matteo Berrettini and Stefanos Tsitsipas both exited in the first round.
China's Wang Xinyu bowed out of the WTA Italian Open in Rome on Friday, falling to Alexandra Eala of the Philippines 6-4, 6-3 in the second round. The match lasted 1 hour and 26 minutes, ending Wang's bid to reach the last 32 of the prestigious clay-court tournament.
How the match unfolded
Wang made a commanding start, breaking serve and racing to a 3-0 lead in the opening set. From the fourth game onward, however, Eala intensified her attacking play while Wang began accumulating unforced errors. The Filipino reeled off four consecutive games to seize the set 6-4. In the second set, Wang broke in the fifth game, but Eala responded immediately with a break of her own before closing out 6-3.
Wang reflects on missed opportunities
After the loss, Wang acknowledged that she could have managed critical moments more effectively. "I think I could have played more aggressively when I was ahead in the first set," she said. "At some crucial moments, I made choices that were not accurate enough or not the best ones, so I do feel it's a bit of a pity." The two players had met earlier this year at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, where Wang won in three sets.
Eala advances, faces Rybakina or Sakkari next
Eala's third-round opponent will be determined by the match between former champion and second seed Elena Rybakina or Greece's Maria Sakkari. The victory sets up a promising run for the Filipino on the red clay.
Top seeds advance; Italian hopes fade
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and defending champion Jasmine Paolini advanced to the third round on Thursday. Sabalenka defeated Czech player Barbora Krejcikova 6-2, 6-3, hitting 29 winners while committing just 13 unforced errors. Ninth seed Paolini battled qualifier Leolia Jeanjean for nearly three hours, prevailing 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4. However, Italy's Matteo Berrettini lost in straight sets to Australia's Alexei Popyrin, disappointing the home crowd, while Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas fell to Czech player Tomas Machac. Sixth seed Amanda Anisimova of the United States withdrew with a wrist injury; her replacement Elena-Gabriela Ruse lost to Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko in three sets. Ostapenko will next face China's Zheng Qinwen in the third round.
Point of View
Then reverted to error-prone patterns the moment Eala raised intensity. The post-match candour — admitting she could have been more aggressive when ahead — rings hollow if not paired with concrete tactical adjustments. For a player ranked in the top 50, consistency in high-pressure moments remains the missing link.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Wang Xinyu vs Alexandra Eala at the WTA Italian Open?
Alexandra Eala defeated Wang Xinyu 6-4, 6-3 in the second round on Friday. The match lasted 1 hour and 26 minutes.
How did Wang Xinyu start the match against Eala?
Wang made a strong opening, breaking serve and racing to a 3-0 lead in the first set. However, Eala responded by winning four consecutive games to claim the set 6-4.
Who did Alexandra Eala face in the third round?
Eala's third-round opponent will be determined by the match between second seed Elena Rybakina or Greece's Maria Sakkari.
Which top seeds advanced at the WTA Italian Open on Thursday?
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated Barbora Krejcikova 6-2, 6-3, and defending champion Jasmine Paolini survived a three-hour battle against Leolia Jeanjean, winning 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4.
