Alex Eala’s finest US Open run ends as skid vs friend Iva Jovic continues

FRIENDS. Iva Jovic of the United States embraces the Philippines' Alexandra Eala after winning her third-round match in the 2026 US Open.

Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters

Alex Eala squanders a 4-2 lead in the deciding set as she falls short of a fourth-round berth at the US Open and remains winless against Iva Jovic

AT A GLANCE

• Alex Eala lost to American world No. 14 Iva Jovic in the third round of the US Open, marking her third defeat against Jovic in their WTA Tour meetings.
• Eala had a strong performance, leading 4-2 in the deciding set, but ultimately lost the match 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 after a 3-hour marathon.
• Despite the loss, Eala's run at the US Open was commendable, surpassing her previous year's performance and showcasing her growth as a player.

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MANILA, Philippines – The third time, unfortunately, did not prove to be the charm for Alex Eala.

Eala remained winless against American world No. 14 Iva Jovic as she exited the US Open with a stinging 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 loss in the third round at the famed Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York, on Saturday, September 5 (Sunday, September 6, Manila time).

Up 4-2 in the deciding set, the Filipina world No. 18 ran out of steam when it mattered most, sending her finest run in the final Grand Slam of the tennis calendar to a heartbreaking end at the hands of her close friend.

Eala fell to 0-3 against Jovic in their WTA Tour meetings after losing in straight sets in the opening round of the French Open in May and again in the second round of the Queen’s Club Championships in June.

But Eala, at one point, seemed poised for a breakthrough win over Jovic.

Playing in primetime at the world’s largest tennis stadium with a roaring crowd behind her, Eala finally took a set from Jovic and even grabbed a 4-2 lead in the decider. 

Jovic, however, dug deep and won four of the last five games to come out triumphant in the 3-hour, 3-minute marathon and arrange a fourth-round clash with compatriot Coco Gauff.

Eala showed some resistance during that stretch as she saved a match point in the 10th game to knot the score at 5-5 before Jovic clinched the next two games.

Seeded 14th, Jovic moved to a second match point with a booming forehand winner, then sealed the victory when Eala dumped a shot into the net — the American falling flat on her back in tears after advancing to the US Open round of 16 for the first time in her career. 

“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,” said Jovic. 

“But it’s really worth it for this feeling. I’m usually not one to show 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.” 

It was a painful exit for Eala as she came oh-so close to matching her best Grand Slam campaign, a fourth-round appearance in the Wimbledon Championships in July where she dethroned Poland’s Iga Swiatek in the third round.

Eala flashed a smile as she thanked the fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium, but the disappointment of the loss finally sank in as she fought back tears on her way to the dugout.

Still, it was a commendable run for Eala as she surpassed her showing last year, when she fell to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in the second round after making history as the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam main draw match in the Open era following an upset of Denmark’s Clara Tauson.

This year, Eala swatted aside USA’s Mary Stoiana, 6-1, 6-2, to open her campaign, and then made quick work of Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova, 6-1, 6-4. – Rappler.com