Jovic survives Eala thriller, ends Filipina star’s US Open run

American rising star Iva Jovic ended Alexandra “Alex” Eala’s US Open campaign after surviving a dramatic three-set battle, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The highly anticipated third-round showdown lived up to the hype as the two friends traded momentum before Jovic pulled off a late comeback to reach the fourth round.

Eala refused to go quietly after dropping the opening set, storming back to take the second, 6-3, and force a deciding set. The Filipina then surged ahead 4-2 in the third, putting herself within striking distance of the biggest Grand Slam run of her career.

But Jovic responded when the pressure was at its highest.

The 18-year-old American erased Eala’s advantage, fought her way back into the deciding set and eventually closed out the match 7-5, denying the 21-year-old Filipina a historic place in the US Open round of 16.

The defeat ended an impressive New York run for Eala, who had cruised through her opening two matches. She defeated American Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 in the first round before dispatching Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-1, 6-4 in the second.

Saturday’s encounter also marked Eala’s first official match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the centerpiece of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and the largest tennis stadium in the world. The match had originally drawn major attention because of the popularity of both young stars and was placed in the prime-time night session.

For Jovic, the victory continued her dominance in the head-to-head rivalry. She had already defeated Eala twice in 2026 6-4, 6-2 at Roland Garros and 6-2, 6-2 at Queen’s Club before making it three straight victories with her hardest-fought win yet in New York.

Despite the heartbreaking exit, Eala leaves Flushing Meadows after another breakthrough Grand Slam showing and after pushing one of the tour’s brightest young American stars to the limit on tennis’ biggest stage.