Tatiana Prozorova is heading into the biggest match of her week with a scouting report that doubles as a compliment. The world No. 180 compared Alexandra Eala to an octopus, pointing to the Filipina’s relentless court coverage as the trait that makes her one of the toughest outs in Singapore.

Prozorova earned the right to test that theory the hard way. She dropped the opening set and slipped behind again in the second before turning the match around to beat Belgian qualifier Sofia Costoulas and advance at the Singapore Open.

Prozorova Praises Eala’s Range Ahead of Singapore Open Clash

Speaking after her win, Prozorova broke down what makes Eala so difficult to play. “She’s very good,” Prozorova said. “She’s like an octopus, you know? She runs from side to side, and she puts a lot of pressure on her opponent.”

The Russian added that Eala’s willingness to swing freely, even from bad positions, sets her apart. According to Prozorova, Eala will “hit it as strongly as she can” no matter how uncomfortable the situation looks, a trait that forces opponents to stay sharp on every point.

Despite the praise, Prozorova made clear she isn’t walking into the match as a bystander. She said she has specific adjustments planned and believes her ability to read and counter an opponent’s style gives her a real path to an upset.

Prozorova also opened up about her run through the draw, calling it her first main-draw appearance at this level without going through qualifying. She admitted to early nerves but said the atmosphere, even away from the main stadium court, helped her settle in and play some of her best tennis.

Sakkari and Sabalenka’s Section Sets Up Next Round of Singapore Open

Elsewhere on the schedule, Maria Sakkari shook off a shaky start to beat Linda Fruhvirtova, 6-4, 6-1. Sakkari trailed 4-2 early before finding her rhythm and closing out the match comfortably in two sets.

The Greek star credited the Singapore crowd for lifting her performance, thanking fans for bringing their children out despite the ongoing school week. She called the tournament stop “a special place to play” and praised the energy in the stands throughout her match.

Sakkari now turns her attention to Japanese qualifier Nao Hibino in the next round. She said she expects a difficult test, noting that rankings mean little in the current era, since every player left in the draw is capable of raising her level on any given day.

Both storylines point to a Singapore Open bracket that is producing unpredictable results, with lower-ranked players like Prozorova and Hibino pushing deep into the draw against seeded competition.