Alex Eala kicks off Pan Pacific Open campaign on a high note

Alex Eala began her Toray Pan Pacific Open with guns blazing after dismantling British challenger Mika Stojsavljevic, 6-1, 6-2, on Oct. 26, 2026, at Ariake Tennis Forest Park in Japan.

Eager to bounce back after losing at the Ningbo Open’s Round of 16, Eala immediately pounced on the British teen and didn’t give her any room to breathe with her clean baseline hitting, improved serving, and break point efficiency.

Eala quickly went off to the races after securing back-to-back break points as she comfortably absorbed Stojsavljevic’s groundstroke returns by sending deep down-the-line balls.

Every time Stojsavljevic rushed to the net, Eala came prepared, countering with a clinical lob followed by a leftie forehand drive that increased her point counter.

There was just nothing that Stojsavljevic could do after Eala zoomed to a commanding 5-0 lead, flaunting her well-oiled offensive artillery while displaying a clean serving game without a single double fault committed.

Stojsavljevic managed to halt Eala’s streak with a hold in the sixth game, but the Filipina ace wrapped up the set with a pair of forehand winners to grab the much-needed momentum and the 1-0 lead.

Eala replicated her tremendous start in the second set as she broke Stojsavljevic’s first serve to take a 2-0 lead while keeping her stuck in the no-man’s-land by throwing long top spin groundstrokes.

However, Stojsavljevic increased her chances of a comeback after stealing two of the next three games to pull within 3-2, taking advantage of her rejuvenated serving game and an improved defensive coverage in the baseline.

Just when Stojsavljevic thought that momentum already swung her way, Eala played spoiler after staging a demoralizing 3-0 closing run to cap the second set in style.

In the seventh game, Eala stamped her masterclass after surviving Stojsavljevic’s hold attempt, fending off three break points to salvage the game and build a 5-2 advantage.

It was then all Eala in the final game, overpowering Stojsavljevic with a series of ridiculous forehand stunners and cross-court return winners.

Eala capped her Round of 32 win with 60 total points won, one ace, four break points, and 24 on the return. On the other hand, Stojsavljevic’s Toray Pan Pacific Open run ended with 40 total points won, five double faults, and 17 points on the return.

Awaiting Eala in the Round of 16 is Australia’s Talia Gibson, who earlier pulled off a dominant sweep over compatriot Daria Kasatkina, 6-0, 7-5.