‘I lost my sanity five times!’ Jovic survives 17-break marathon to knock out Eala, book Gauff clash at US Open

Jovic won five of the final six games to defeat Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a marathon third-round clash. — AFP pic

First Published: Sunday, 06 Sep 2026 12:08 PM MYT

Last Modified: Sunday, 06 Sep 2026 12:09 PM MYT

NEW YORK, Sept 6 — American teen Iva Jovic outlasted Philippines star Alexandra Eala in an epic three-hour showdown yesterday to reach the fourth round of the US Open, where fourth seed Coco Gauff awaits.

Jovic, the 14th seed, won five of the last six games for a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 triumph over 17th-seed Eala after three hours and three minutes.

“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.”

Two of the top rising stars of women’s tennis made their Arthur Ashe Stadium debut a memorable battle that featured 17 service breaks in 33 games.

Jovic, 18 and Eala, 21, are friends and sometime doubles partners, knowing well each other’s skills and style. That helped produce seven service breaks in the first 11 games.

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

That match will be against compatriot Gauff, the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open champion.

“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.

Jovic broke four times to win the first set but was broken three times by left-hander Eala to drop the second.

Eala broke Jovic in the first game of the third set when the American netted a backhand.

“I just tried to take my time in those moments and feel the energy and feel the crowd — even though they weren’t always rooting for me,” Jovic said.

Jovic smacked a forehand winner to break Eala in the fourth game and level the set, but the American double-faulted away a break in the fifth.

Jovic broke back to 4-4 with a backhand service return winner and broke again in the last game, smacking a forehand winner to reach match point and taking the victory when Eala netted a forehand.

Jovic, a quarter-finalist at this year’s Australian Open, won her first WTA title last year in Guadalajara at age 17. — AFP