Shnaider deals Eala another heartbreak

Sports

DIANA Shnaider made it two in a row against Alex Eala, sending the Filipina tennis star home with a 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 decision in their quarterfinal match of the 2026 Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, Japan on Friday, Oct. 30.

It was Shnaider’s second win against Eala in two weeks as the world No. 13 Russian also defeated the world No. 19 Filipina in the Ningbo Open last week.

Seeded eighth in the WTA 500 event, Eala looked solid in a dominant first-set win but the third-seeded Shnaider showed grit to prevail in a back and forth duel in the second frame.

Eala was trailing in the second set, 203, when she called for a medical timeout while trailing 2-3.

Shnaider sustained her momentum in the third set, seizing control after winning three straight games for a commading 3-1 lead.

The Russian, thus, arranged a semifinal date with Mia Pohankova, who defeated Alycia Parks in their own quarterfinal match, 7-6 (3), 6-3.

It was another empty run for Eala in her Asian swing after early exits in the Singapore Open, Wuhan Open, and Ningbo Open.(CCM)