Alexandra Eala‘s Singapore Tennis Open run ended in shock on Thursday, September 24. Russia’s Tatiana Prozorova, the World No. 180, rallied from a set and a break down to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

The third-seeded Eala, ranked No. 18, had led 6-4, 4-2 and looked set for the quarterfinals. Instead, the three-hour, nine-minute Round of 16 clash became the biggest win of Prozorova’s career.

Eala Loses Momentum Against Prozorova in Singapore

Eala trailed 3-1 early in the first set. She fought back to close it 6-4, converting her seventh set point after saving two break points in the final game.

The second set turned the match around. Eala went up 4-2, but Prozorova stayed in the fight and won it 7-5. At 5-6, Eala saved one set point with a forehand winner, then missed a forehand on the second.

Both players traded chances early in the decider. Eala came back from 2-0 down to level at 3-3 and earned four break points. Prozorova held for 4-3 and did not lose another game.

Prozorova Faces Wang Xinyu in Singapore Quarterfinals

Prozorova entered Singapore ranked outside the Top 100. She had never beaten a Top 20 player and had won only three tour-level matches in her career before facing Eala.

She also came back from a set and a break down against Sofia Costoulas in the previous round. Prozorova, 22, could not hold back tears after her match-point forehand winner. She credited a new fitness coach she has worked with since around July.

“I just believed in myself until the end,” Prozorova said. She now faces Wang Xinyu in the quarterfinals.

Eala praised her opponent afterward. “Tatiana played really well today,” she said. She also spoke about the crowd support: “It’s so heartwarming to see the support that I get.”