THIRD round at the US Open will see Alex Eala’s third on-court meeting with dear friend Iva Jovic.
And the world No. 18 is hoping the third time really is the charm.
After back-to-back, straight-sets wins against Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine, 6-1, 6-4, and American qualifier Mary Stoiana, 6-1, 6-2, Eala faces a daunting test as she takes on American world No. 14 and her pal slash nemesis Jovic.
READ Alex Eala makes quick work of Olikynykova
The 21-year-old Filipina will be looking to finally crack the code against the 18-year-old on her home court, having lost to her twice earlier this year at the HSBC Championships, 2-6, 2-6, and in the French Open first round, 4-6, 2-6.
In New York, Jovic reached the third round after beating Fran Jones, 6-4, 6-4, in her opener and Magda Frech in the second round, 7-5, 6-3.
"Super excited, the atmosphere is going to be amazing," Jovic, 18, said of her coming match against Eala. "It's super nice to be playing each other in the third round, deeper in the slams, so hopefully we keep going at runs like these."
Knowing Jovic pretty well, Eala spoke highly of the American, whom she also shared the court with during the fan service segment Stars of the Open where their dads joined them in a fun doubles match.
“Iva, she’s an amazing player, young, very talented, and very intelligent. She’s higher ranked and very accomplished, and I’ve encountered my fair share of challenges against her this year,” she said.
Eala, though, regardless of who’s on the other side of the net, reiterated that she’s doing enough to come in prepared every time.
“It’s not under my control who I play. I just do my best and try to do everything I can to win,” she said.
Eala and Jovic will meet on Saturday (Manila time), with the specific time still to be determined.
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