Eala sees progress after epic US Open loss to Jovic

Alexandra “Alex” Eala remains winless against friend Iva Jovic, but the Filipina tennis star is looking beyond the disappointment after pushing the American to three sets for the first time.

Jovic outlasted Eala, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, in the US Open third round at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York, on Saturday night, or Sunday morning in the Philippines.

The marathon match at the year’s final Grand Slam lasted three hours and three minutes.

World No. 14 Jovic collected her third career victory over world No. 18 Eala in as many meetings this year.

The 18-year-old American previously defeated the 21-year-old Filipina, 4-6, 2-6, in the first round of the 2026 French Open.

Jovic also beat Eala, 2-6, 2-6, in the second round or Round of 16 of the 2026 Queen’s Club Championships.

Unlike those straight-set defeats, Eala created numerous opportunities during their gripping US Open encounter.

“Definitely. I do think that I’ve grown as a player since the last time that we played each other,” Eala said. “I was able to kind of set myself up for some opportunities, which was great.”

Eala acknowledged the pain of another loss while taking encouragement from the quality of her performance.

“In general, of course, there is disappointment in losing, but I think it was a really good match. I think the level was really high,” she said.

The two friends and occasional doubles partners produced 17 service breaks across 33 games during their Arthur Ashe Stadium debut.

Their familiarity with each other contributed to seven service breaks over the first 11 games.

Eala drew first blood in the opening set before Jovic captured the next four games for a 4-1 advantage.

Jovic’s early surge included a comeback from a 0-40 deficit in the third game.

Eala responded by winning four of the next five games to level the set at 5-5.

Jovic immediately broke back in the 11th game for a 6-5 lead.

The American then held to love to secure the opening set after 62 minutes.

Jovic broke Eala four times in the first set.

Eala shifted the momentum in the second frame by breaking Jovic in the fourth game for a pivotal 3-1 advantage.

The Filipina extended her lead to 4-2 before Jovic dominated the following game to trim the deficit to one.

Eala needed two break points in the eighth game before Jovic double-faulted on the final point.

The left-handed Eala followed with backhand and forehand winners before completing a comfortable hold to force a deciding set.

Eala broke Jovic three times in the second frame.

Jovic took a medical timeout and received treatment on her back before the third set.

Eala carried her momentum into the decider by winning the opening two games for a 2-0 lead.

The Philippine bet later moved ahead 4-2 and appeared poised to take control.

Jovic’s gritty hold in the seventh game changed the direction of the match.

The American punished Eala with forehand winners and won three consecutive games to move in front, 5-4.

That run included a sensational love hold in the ninth game powered by Jovic’s serves.

Eala saved a match point in the 10th game when Jovic sent a backhand long.

Two more Jovic errors allowed Eala to level the final set at 5-5.

Jovic recovered by closing the 11th game with an ace for a 6-5 advantage.

A forehand winner gave the American another match point in the following game.

Eala still had an opportunity to survive but sent a forehand into the net on the final rally.

Jovic fell to the court in celebration after winning five of the final six games.

“I don’t even know what to say. That felt like a marathon, and I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match,” Jovic said. “But it’s really worth it for this feeling.”

The emotional reaction was unusual for Jovic, who described the significance of advancing in New York.

“I’m usually not one that shows that many emotions, but this one really meant a lot to me, so it’s everything to have another match here at the US Open,” Jovic said.

Jovic believed the dramatic finish was worthy of the tournament’s largest court.

“That match, definitely the way it finished, deserved that court,” she said.

The American said surviving Eala required a complete physical and mental effort.

“It literally took everything to somehow squeeze my way through that,” Jovic said.

Both players received warm applause from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd following their three-hour battle.

“I just tried to take my time in those moments and feel the energy, feel the crowd even though they weren’t always rooting for me,” Jovic said when asked about her mentality in the third set.

Jovic also thanked the spectators for helping her endure the deciding frame.

“I love you guys, and you gave me so much energy to just keep pushing and just leave absolutely everything on the court for the win,” she added.

Jovic praised the standard of tennis produced by both rising stars.

“The level was absolutely incredible from both sides,” she said.

The physical toll included a lost earring, scraped knees and several emotional swings.

“We definitely put on a show and it literally took everything to get through that… losing my earrings, falling literally flat-out on the floor, cuts on my knees, mental breakdowns,” Jovic said.

Eala chose to focus on the fight she displayed despite failing to capitalize on her chances.

“I had my chances. I’m happy with the match in general. Of course there is disappointment in losing, but trying to see the positive side. It was a really good match. The level was really high.

“I left everything out there. I fought through the ups and downs… What I know for a fact is that I fought so I’m happy with that.”

Eala said the experiences of her breakthrough 2026 campaign have helped her handle new situations on and off the court.

“With the experiences that I’ve had this year, I’m put in so many situations, and so many firsts. And with those situations comes new lessons,” Eala said. “I learn about myself, how to act, about what’s the best way for me to handle an obstacle. I learn about what effect my decisions have further down the line, and this and those themes stick with tennis, but also in life.”

Eala said she would need more time to fully understand what she learned from the defeat.

“What I’ve learned tonight, I have yet to process, but I think that what I know for sure is that I left everything out there. I fought through the ups and downs, through the moments where I wasn’t playing so good, and moments where I was playing really good. So, what I know for a fact is that I fought, and I’m happy with that,” Eala said.

Eala’s 2026 season has been highlighted by her maiden WTA Tour championship at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington in August.

She also became the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon during the Open Era.

Eala competed in the first rounds of the Australian Open and French Open earlier in the season.

Jovic reached the Australian Open quarterfinals this year.

The American captured her maiden WTA title in Guadalajara last year at age 17.

Jovic said Eala had improved considerably since their earlier encounters in Paris and London.

“She played an outrageous level tonight. She was serving very good. She was showing a lot more versatility with her returns,” Jovic said of Eala.

Jovic also placed the Filipina’s current form among the best on the women’s tour.

“She’s playing some of the best tennis in the world right now so it’s no doubt it takes a hell of an effort to beat her,” she said.

The 14th-seeded Jovic will face world No. 4 and fourth seed Coco Gauff in the round of 16.

Gauff won the US Open in 2023 and the French Open in 2025.

“I’m going to be more than happy to just bring this fight and this energy and whatever happens I can leave with my head high,” Jovic said.

The 17th-seeded Eala will next turn her attention to the Singapore Open and the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.