Eala exits Tokyo quarterfinals after Shnaider comeback
The Philippine eighth seed lost in three sets as Diana Shnaider advanced to a semifinal against Slovakia’s Mia Pohankova.
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines was knocked out of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo after Russia’s Diana Shnaider recovered from a set down to win their quarterfinal 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4.
Eighth seed Eala and third seed Shnaider produced 88 winners between them, saving 16 of 19 break points. The decisive break came in the third game of the final set, putting Shnaider ahead before she completed the victory after 2 hours and 52 minutes.
Shnaider made 27 unforced errors but just two in the deciding set. Her next opponent is Slovakian teenager Mia Pohankova, who defeated Alycia Parks 7-6 (3), 6-3.
In the other half of the WTA 500 draw, Canada’s Leylah Fernandez received a walkover when Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, the world No. 1 and top seed, withdrew with a neck injury. Fernandez will meet Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova, a 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 winner over Australia’s Maya Joint.
