Alex Eala turns back Talia Gibson to reach Pan Pacific Open quarterfinals 

Alexandra 'Alex' Eala shrugged off a Set 1 hiccup to eke out a 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 win against Australian Talia Gibson in the Pan Pacific Open Round of 16 on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan.

The 21-year-old Filipina was on cusp of another early exit, but rediscovered her form in the last two sets to turn back the world No. 38 Gibson and book her first quarterfinal appearance in the Asian Swing.

By ousting Gibson, Eala booked a rematch with third seed Diana Shnaider, who beat her in the Ningbo Open Round of 16 last Thursday.

Eala tried to come back in the opening frame by winning Game 9, but the 22-year-old Gibson turned Eala's backhand error into a point to close out Set 1.

The Filipina ace, however, refused to go quietly against Gibson, whom she had beaten twice in their past two meetings, after Eala cruised to a 5-2 lead in Set 2 after finishing it off with a backhand winner.

Gibson forced Eala into an extended Game 8, but the Filipina managed to pull it off and dragged the Australian into a deciding Set 3.

The world No. 19 just imposed her will in the final frame after limiting Gibson to just five points in the first four games, including a sweep in Game 4, to race to a comfortable 4-0 cushion.

Eala also nearly swept Gibson in Game 5 to clinch the match point, before the latter staged a fightback in Game 6 by reaching two break points. But Eala held on to finish off Gibson, clinching her spot in the quarterfinals.

—JKC, GMA News