Alexandra Eala produced a superb comeback effort on Wednesday to reach the Pan Pacific Open quarter-finals.
Eala, seeded eighth at the Tokyo-based WTA 500 event, struggled early on as she fell a set behind to young Australian starlet Talia Gibson.
The Filipina roared back to claim victory, triumphing 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 on Centre Court.
Eala has secured her place in the last eight of the Japanese event for the very first time in her young career. The 21-year-old will face Diana Shnaider in the next round.
In the past, Eala’s serving has often been a key source of criticism from onlookers.
On Wednesday, her critics could have no complaints.
Alex Eala is showing positive signs on her serve
Alex Eala has clearly made significant improvements throughout the 2026 campaign, despite landing fewer first serves on average compared to her 2025 and 2024 seasons.
The young Filipina has held serve more frequently throughout 2026 than in any other prior campaign on the professional circuit.
Eala has held serve 67.5 per cent of the time throughout 2026 – an improvement of 8.1 per cent on 2025 and 22.9 per cent on 2024.
| Year | Serving hold % |
| 2021 | 50 |
| 2022 | 12.5 |
| 2023 | 26.5 |
| 2024 | 44.6 |
| 2025 | 59.4 |
| 2026 | 67.5 |
Eala has shown particular strength in this category while competing at the Pan Pacific Open this week.
The 21-year-old began her campaign in Japan by defeating British youngster Mika Stojsavljevic, landing 72.2 per cent of her first serves during the contest.
Eala followed up this serving performance by landing 72.2 per cent of her first-serve attempts against Talia Gibson on Wednesday.
The Filipina also served nine aces against Gibson, landing 71 per cent of her first serves and winning 66 per cent of those points.
Alex Eala reacts to defeating Talia Gibson
“The first set was difficult and I had my chances. I knew if I kept my concentration I would have more chances,” Eala said in her post-match interview on Wednesday.
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Eala also commented on the presence of Filipino flags inside the Pan Pacific Open stadium.
“I loved it. Thank you so much to everybody,” she remarked.
As mentioned previously, Eala will play third seed Diana Shnaider in the Pan Pacific Open quarter-finals.
Alex Eala’s recent loss to Diana Shnaider
Alex Eala lost to Diana Shnaider at the Ningbo Open only six days ago.
Shnaider, a Roland Garros semi-finalist, triumphed 7-5, 6-4 in the second round; breaking Eala’s serve on six occasions during the contest.
“Obviously very happy the way I played today, the way I compete, because definitely Alex is very dangerous and a tough opponent,” Shnaider said in her post-match interview.
“Another lefty, another big hitter. She never goes back down, she steps in, she rips the ball. So I knew it was going to be tough. Very proud and happy the way I performed today.”
Eala and Shnaider will contest their quarter-final contest on Friday. The winner will face one of Naomi Osaka, Mia Pohankova, Kimberly Birrell or Alycia Parks in the semi-finals.
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