Alex Eala fought back from a set down to beat Australia's Talia Gibson, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, and book her place in the Pan Pacific Open quarterfinals in Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday night.
The eighth-seeded Filipina bounced back in style, winning 12 games while conceding just two to complete the comeback against world No. 38 Gibson.
Eala, ranked a career-high world No. 19 as of Thursday, Oct. 29, also fired a career-best nine aces in the three-set thriller.
After dropping the opening set, Eala took control in the second, 6-2, before shutting out Gibson in a dominant 6-0 final set.
Gibson fought to stay alive, saving a match point, but Eala held firm to seal the victory and advance to the last eight in Tokyo.
