Arya News - Set for a swift rematch in Tokyo, Eala looks to redeem her recent Ningbo Open exit as she takes on formidable rival Diana Shnaider of Russia for a semifinal berth.
MANILA – Alex Eala has her mind set on some payback when the Filipino superstar gets another crack at Diana Shnaider for a place in the semifinals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
A week after being bundled out by the Russian in the Ningbo Open in China in one of the closest matches in that tournament, the 21-year-old Eala now knows what type of game she will be facing as she tries to extend her deepest run in the Asian swing with a win.
Their rematch is slated no earlier than 4 p.m. on Friday, with the winner between the two lefties with contrasting playing styles advancing to meet either Leylah Fernandez or Kamilla Rakhimova in the semifinals.
This is the deepest run that Eala is enjoying in the Asian sojourn of the WTA as she had crashed out early in the previous tournaments, counting a second-round exit in the Nagoya Asian Games earlier this month when she was the top-ranked player.
Both players will be coming off tough three-set wins, with the Filipino carving hers out against Talia Gibson, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, and the Russian pulling out a 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 triumph over Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
This run is also the deepest that Eala has gone since reaching the fourth round of the US Open, and she credits this rejuvenation to “minor adjustments” that, when added up, amount to very big things.
“Maybe just a couple of small details that when accumulated make a big difference,” she said. “In one 30-all [game], I went more for my shot, or in one deuce I did so and so.”
“Those little details, when all summed up, that’s the difference.”
Shnaider is also bracing for a war after she had experienced how tough it was playing Eala the first time out.
“She is a very dangerous and tough opponent,” Shnaider said of Eala. “She never goes back down; she steps in, she rips the ball.”