The Asian derby between Wang Xinyu and Alexandra Eala in the second round of the Rome WTA 1000 event ended in a shocking upset. The heavily favored Chinese star, Wang Xinyu, failed to deliver against the Philippine opponent and exited in her opening match.
Wang entered the match with confidence, having rallied from a near-defeat to beat Eala in the Auckland 250 semifinals earlier this year. That mental edge, combined with Wang’s struggles this season, led many fans to believe she would seize the opportunity to gain a crucial morale boost. Wang lived up to expectations early on, storming to a 3-0 lead in the first set.
However, once Eala adjusted to Wang’s rhythm, the match turned dramatically. Wang’s commanding start evaporated as she lost four consecutive games, eventually dropping the first set 4-6. The second set followed a similar pattern. After the two players traded breaks, Wang took a 3-2 lead. But again, she collapsed, losing four straight games to fall 3-6 and hand the victory to Eala.
The result allowed Eala to avenge her loss in Auckland earlier this year. Many fans were disappointed that Wang squandered leads in both sets, making the loss especially bitter. Yet some observers weren’t entirely surprised. While Wang owns a French Open doubles title and boasts stronger credentials on paper, Rome’s slow clay reduces the effectiveness of her serve. Eala’s baseline consistency and ability to construct points proved better suited to the surface. The final scoreline reflected that tactical advantage.
Wang’s struggles raise concerns ahead of the French Open. After faltering against a player of Eala’s level—not a standout on clay—Wang’s inability to close out matches is a red flag. With the French Open field packed with elite clay-court players, every match becomes a major test, regardless of the draw.
Before the match, Wang admitted in an interview that she is dealing with a difficult period. “Mental adjustment is the biggest challenge I face right now,” she said. This revelation is painful, given how she started the season as the most consistent Chinese singles player, earning widespread praise. Now, she finds herself mired in turmoil.
“I face different situations every year as a tennis player, and every year I learn,” Wang said, maintaining her confidence. But her performance against Eala underscored glaring issues that demand a quick fix, especially with the French Open looming.
