NINGBO — Alexandra Eala's hopes of securing a WTA Finals alternate spot are over after her round-of-16 defeat to Diana Shnaider at the Ningbo Open, a result that has simplified the race for the final two places in Riyadh with less than a month until the season finale. The eight main competitors have already been confirmed following Iga Swiatek's decision to end her season early, a call that cemented Karolina Muchova's participation.
The Polish star's withdrawal had briefly opened a slim opportunity for Eala to contend for one of the two alternate berths, but the 21-year-old was unable to capitalise and was beaten in a hard-fought clash with the left-handed Russian. Belinda Bencic also lost in Ningbo, leaving both players too far adrift of the alternate positions to remain in contention.
Marta Kostyuk now holds the strongest position and occupies the first alternate spot on 3921 points, although she retired injured from her latest match in Ningbo which casts doubt over her availability for the Finals. Iva Jovic sits next on 2941 points, a considerable margin behind Kostyuk, and is closely followed by Shnaider and Elise Mertens. Jovic and Shnaider are set to meet next in the Ningbo quarter-finals, a fixture with huge ramifications for the alternate race.
Maja Chwalinska would also have been involved in the competition but cannot be named as an alternate after failing to play the required eight events across WTA 1000 and 500 tournaments. Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff all went without a major title in 2026.