By el Amigo
MANILA — Filipino tennis ace Alexandra “Alex” Eala bowed out of the Pan Pacific Open after absorbing a 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 defeat to Diana Shnaider in their quarterfinal showdown in Japan on Friday.
Eala got off to an impressive start, recovering from an early setback to win five consecutive games and take command of the opening set. Although Shnaider managed to claim another game, the Filipina held her ground to close out the set.
The second frame turned into a closely fought battle, with neither player able to establish a decisive advantage, forcing a tiebreak after the score was tied at 6-6.
Shnaider moved ahead, 5-3, in the tiebreak, but Eala fought back to level the count. However, a costly double fault allowed the Russian to regain the upper hand before taking the next point to win the set and send the match into a decider.
Shnaider seized control early in the third set, building a 3-1 advantage. Eala managed to stay within striking distance but requested a medical timeout during the sixth game because of an apparent problem with her left foot.
The Russian eventually stretched her lead to 4-2. Eala continued fighting, winning two more games, but Shnaider held firm to secure the victory and a place in the semifinals.
Shnaider will next meet Mia Pohankova, who advanced after defeating former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, 7-6(3), 6-3.
ia/xf
