Alex Eala’s US Open build-up hit the same familiar wall, and it is the friendliest kind of trouble. The Filipina tennis star fell to her best friend Iva Jovic, 6-3 in the Stars of the Open exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium, then turned quickly to the match that actually counts: her women’s singles opener, where she is seeded No. 17.
A friendly rematch with real stakes
The one-set exhibition, whose proceeds benefit the USTA Foundation, doubled as a tune-up for both players before the main draw. Jovic raced to a 2-0 lead before Eala found her range, tying the match at 2-all and again at 3-all.
From there, the 18-year-old American found another gear and closed out the win in 54 minutes. It was competitive, but the mood stayed light throughout.
A father-daughter moment at center court
The highlight came in the ninth game, when both players’ fathers joined them on court. Eala’s dad, Mike, got in on the fun, a scene the US Open shared on its own channels. Earlier, a young player from the Harlem Jr. Tennis & Education Program stepped in for a few points, a nod to the tournament’s community mission.
“It’s been amazing. The stadium is packed, so electric,” Eala said in a mid-match interview. “It’s a great way to practice against a great opponent.”
What it means for Eala’s singles run
Jovic has now beaten Eala in their last two competitive meetings, and this exhibition adds another notch. The result does not change the bigger picture: Eala enters the singles as the No. 17 seed and opens against a qualifier, while Jovic drew Magdalena Frech. It is the rematch arc we previewed this week, now with the exhibition behind them.
Eala vs Jovic at a glance
| Alex Eala | Iva Jovic | |
|---|---|---|
| US Open singles seed | No. 17 | No. 14 |
| First-round opponent | A qualifier | Magdalena Frech |
| Exhibition result | Jovic wins 6-3 in 54 minutes | |
- Eala reached a career-high WTA world No. 18, a first for a Southeast Asian player.
- Both players treat the exhibition as a warm-up for the singles main draw.
- Proceeds from the Stars of the Open support the USTA Foundation.
