ALEX Eala still can’t seem to crack the code on her friend Iva Jovic.
The Filipina world No. 18 battled back from a set down and pushed the American to the brink inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday prime time, but Jovic once again found a way to beat Eala, 7-5, 3-6, 5-7, in the third round of the 2026 US Open.
In her first time stepping onto the US Open’s biggest court, Eala had the crowd behind her despite Jovic playing on home soil, with 'Eala-mania' making its presence felt anew.
But for the third time in as many matches, the world No. 14 had all the answers.
Jovic, also the tournament 14th seed, had the upper hand early, finding success with her forehand, while Eala struggled to get her first serve going. But the 17th-seeded pride of the Philippines slowly found her rhythm and made the adjustments needed to force a deciding set.
Eala then raced to 2-0 then 4-2 leads in the decider only to see Jovic storm right back to 4-4, and in the end, the latter just proved to be more in control to seal the win in the match that lasted three hours and three minutes.
The American will next face world No. 4 Coco Gauff in the round of 16.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
