Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is set for a rematch against world No. 13 Diana Shnaider of Russia in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
Eala booked her spot in the last eight after overcoming Australia’s Talia Gibson, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, recovering from a first-set loss to dominate the deciding set.
The 21-year-old Filipina credited her refusal to give up as a key factor in her comeback victory.
Eala will now look to avenge her recent defeat to Shnaider, who beat her, 7-5, 6-4, at the Ningbo Open last Thursday.
With a semifinal berth on the line, Eala will aim to turn the tables on the Russian and keep her campaign in Tokyo alive.
(Photo Courtesy: Reuters)
