Alex Eala bowed out of the WTA 500 Ningbo Open after losing to sixth-seeded Diana Shnaider of Russia, 7-5, 6-4, in a grueling round-of-16 match in China on Thursday.

Eala fought back from multiple deficits in both sets but could not overcome Shnaider, who capitalized on crucial opportunities to secure the straight-sets victory and advance to the quarterfinals.

The 21-year old Filipina kept the opening set close, trading service holds with Shnaider before taking a 4-3 lead. However, the Russian broke Eala's serve to move ahead 5-4 and put herself in position to close out the set.

Eala responded by breaking back to level the score at 5-5, but Shnaider regained the advantage with another break before holding serve to take the first set, 7-5, after 51 minutes.

The second set proved equally competitive, with both players struggling to hold serve early in the contest.

Shnaider opened with a break, but Eala immediately broke back to level the set at 1-1. The two continued trading breaks, with neither able to establish a comfortable advantage as the score reached 3-3.

Eala briefly moved ahead 4-3 after holding serve, but Shnaider steadied herself to tie the set at 4-4 before breaking the Filipina in the ninth game to take a 5-4 lead.

Serving for the match, Shnaider moved within reach of victory at 40-15. Eala saved a match point and fought to force a deuce, extending the contest with another determined stand.

However, Shnaider held firm to close out the match, ending Eala's campaign in the tournament.

Despite the defeat, world No. 20 Eala showed resilience throughout the encounter, repeatedly fighting back from service breaks and saving set and match points before eventually yielding to the Russian's pressure.