Eala gets past Gibson
ALEX Eala takes out Australia Talia Gibson, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, on Wednesday to make the quarterfinal round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
Photograph courtesy of Toray Pan Pacific Open
It was third time’s the charm for Alex Eala as she rallied past world No. 38 Talia Gibson of Australia, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, to reach the quarterfinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Wednesday.
The world No. 19 Filipina needed one hour and 53 minutes to overcome Gibson, whom she had beaten twice in 2023 at the W40 Palma del Rio in Spain and the W25 Aldershot in Great Britain, in their Round of 16 clash at the WTA 500 tournament.
Eala refused to fold after dropping the opening set, crediting her composure and persistence for the comeback.
“I think it was really about staying in the match and never giving up. The first set was difficult, and I had my chances. I knew that if I kept my concentration, I would have more opportunities,” Eala said.
“I kept fighting, believing that I would be able to win.”
The two players traded service holds through the first seven games before Gibson broke Eala to take a 5-3 lead and eventually close out the opening set.
Eala responded immediately in the second frame, breaking Gibson in the opening game and consolidating the advantage for a 2-0 lead before leveling the match at one set apiece.
The Filipina then took complete control in the decider, sweeping all six games to complete the comeback and seal her quarterfinal berth.
Eala will next face world No. 13 Diana Shnaider of Russia, who defeated world No. 112 Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.