Shnaider reasserts mastery over Eala in Toray Pan Pacific Open

MANILA, Philippines — Deja vu for Alex Eala.

A week after her Ningbo Open second round exit, Alex Eala fell to Diana Shnaider, this time in the Toray Pan Pacific Open, 6-2, 6(5)-7, 4-6, Friday in Tokyo, Japan.

Shnaider defeated Eala in the second round of the China tournament just last week, and she repeated her rout against the Filipina, this time in three sets.

The World No. 19 Filipina turned the tables early, turning a 0-1 deficit to a 5-1 lead as she simply dominated against the Russian.

Shnaider kept herself alive with a win in the seventh game, 2-5, but Eala finished the first set off as she held her own serve.

It was much closer in the second set, with Shnaider getting the upper hand multiple times.

She would eventually take a 5-4 lead over Eala, before the Filipina tied things up at 5-all.

Eala would eventually force the tiebreak, and she came two points away from the match, tying things up at 5-all.

However, a double fault on her serve, followed by Shnaider’s ace, forced the third set, 7-6(5).

From there, the momentum shifted to the side of the Russian, who took a 3-1 lead before Eala crept closer, 2-3.

The pride of the Philippines then asked for a medical timeout to get her foot checked. After resuming play, Shnaider went back to business, taking a 4-2 advantage.

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