Diana Shnaider edges Alex Eala in 3 sets in Japan

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala lost to third seed Diana Shnaider, 6-2, 6-7(5), 4-6, in the quarterfinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open on Center Court in Tokyo.

Shnaider started strong with good, powerful rallies to lead 1-0. Eala answered with a superb game, hitting four winners from 0-40 to level at 1-1.

Winners rained from both sides, Eala found the strike zone and won four games in a row to lead 4-1. She hit her first ace of the match at 168 kph and held comfortably to go up 5-1.

Eala then made it 5-2 with her second ace, this time at 147 kph, before closing out the first set, 6-2.

The second set was much tighter.

Eala saved two break points in a game where she had three double faults to make it 2-2. It was 3-3 after that, and Eala came up clutch again, saving two more break points to level at 4-4.

Shnaider moved ahead, 5-4, after a long, nip-and-tuck game that went to several deuces. Eala answered right away to make it 5-5.

The set went to 6-6, and Shnaider won the tiebreak, 7-5, to take it 7-6(5).

In the third set, Eala led 1-0 after a couple of unforced errors from Shnaider. But Shnaider fought back to lead 3-1 & 4-2 

Eala fought on to trail 4-3, yet Shnaider stayed super tough and closed out the set, 6-4. 

Shnaider will next face 18-year-old Mia Pohankova, ranked No. 144 in singles.