Alex Eala advances to 2026 Pan Pacific Open quarterfinals after defeating Talia Gibson
Alex Eala is now off to the quarterfinals after defeating Australia's Talia Gibson in the round of 16 at the 2026 Pan Pacific Open.
The Filipina tennis ace secured a 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 win against Gibson during the match on Oct. 28 in Tokyo, Japan.
Gibson won the first set, 6-4, after breaking Eala late in the set. Eala bounced back in the second, breaking early to take a 4-1 lead. She held off Gibson's comeback attempt and won the set, 6-2, to force a decider.
Eala carried her momentum into the final set, breaking Gibson in the opening game before racing to a 5-0 lead. She won eight consecutive games during her dominant run, using well-placed forehands and strong serves to keep Gibson on the defensive.
Gibson fought back to force deuce in the final game, winning the longest rally of the match. But Eala stayed composed, earning match point after Gibson hit the ball out before sealing the 6-0 set and the win.
"I think [the key was] really staying in the match, never giving up. The first set was difficult [but] I had my chances. So I knew that if I kept my concentration, I would have more chances," world No. 19 Eala said after the match.
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Asked how she felt seeing Filipinos in the crowd, Eala said she was happy to see more kababayans cheering her on.
“I loved it. Sobrang saya. Thank you so much everybody, mas marami tayo ngayon,” she said. “Kaya maraming salamat, magkita tayo sa quarters.”
Eala is set to face a familiar foe, world No. 13 Diana Shnaider of Russia, on Oct. 30. The two previously competed at the Ningbo Open's round of 16.
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