By Reynald I. Magallon
Published Oct 28, 2026 08:18 pm
Alex Eala recovered from a first-set hiccup and dominated the next two to cruise to a 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 victory over Talia Gibson and barge into the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Open on Wednesday, Oct. 28, in Japan.
Eala had to buck a slow start against the Australian but eventually found her way back into the contest behind her aggressive shots and strong service game to complete the come-from-behind win.
The 21-year-old Filipina asserted her mastery over Gibson who she already faced and defeated twice in International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments. The Tokyo Open was their first meeting in a WTA-sanctioned event.
Although Eala was holding a psychological advantage over Gibson with their head-to-head record, the 22-year-old Australian gave Eala a run for her money in the opening set, breaking through with a backhand winner in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead.
The Filipina tennis returned the favor in the next game but Gibson broke Eala’s serve once more to take the opening set.
Eala, however, came alive in the second and took the first two games, setting the tone to the comeback.
Gibson stayed within striking distance and kept it close, 2-3, but Eala maintained the pressure, saving a break point and then finding her range on the serve to pull away and force the decider.
Feeling the momentum, Eala went on to dominate Gibson and seized a commanding 5-0 advantage — highlighted by a blistering stretch where the Filipina won eight consecutive games.
Gibson tried to stay alive, saving a match point and forcing a deuce but Eala would not be denied and sealed the victory to arrange a clash against the winner of the match between third seed Diana Shnaider of Russia.
