Alex Eala’s reward for the deepest US Open run of her career is a matchup against the one player who keeps getting in her way: her good friend Iva Jovic. The No. 17 seed learned her third-round opponent early Friday (Philippine time) when Jovic beat Britain’s Francesca Jones, 6-4, 6-4, to book a place opposite the Filipina.
Eala had already done her part, to reach the US Open third round for the first time. Now she faces a familiar and dangerous obstacle on the road to the Round of 16.
Friends on tour, rivals on court
Eala and Jovic are close friends who have practiced together and even teamed up in doubles. In singles, though, Jovic has won both meetings this season, in the French Open first round and again at the HSBC Championships, each in straight sets.
Exhibition foreshadowing
The two already crossed paths at this year’s US Open, in the Stars of the Open exhibition last week, where Jovic edged Eala, 6-3 in a tune-up that both treated lightly. The result was unofficial, but it added another chapter to a growing rivalry.
What is on the line
A win would send Eala into the Round of 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time, extending the run that has turned her into the biggest story in Philippine tennis. The clash is expected to be played on Saturday, US time, which is Sunday morning in Manila, pending final scheduling.
| Matchup | Alex Eala vs Iva Jovic |
|---|---|
| Round | US Open third round (Round of 32) |
| Seeds | Eala No. 17, Jovic No. 14 |
| Head to head | Jovic leads both 2026 meetings |
| On the line | A first Grand Slam Round of 16 berth |
| Manila timing | Sunday morning, Sept. 6 (to be confirmed) |
How Eala can flip the script
Eala has credited improved patience and consistency for her clean run through the first two rounds. Against a rival who has beaten her in every meeting, she will need her serve and first-strike tennis clicking from the first game. Turn a friendly rivalry into a statement win, and a possible date with Coco Gauff could await in the next round.
