Jovic reigns in chaos: defeats Eala in a thrilling match that had it all and sets up a meeting with Gauff

Andrés Tomás Rico - 6 Sep 2026 | 04:34
WTA Iva Jovic Alexandra Eala US Open 2026

The American defeated the Filipino, who was up 4-2 in the third set, in one of the best matches of the US Open.
 

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Jovic reigns in the madness: defeats Eala in a thrilling match that had everything and meets Gauff. Photo: Getty Images

Iva Jovic is very serious. The American is increasingly moving beyond being a promise and is becoming a full reality. This was evident in her third-round match at the US Open against her contemporary, Alexandra Eala. It was one of the matches of the tournament, an ode to tennis filled with twists at a very high level where the Filipina nearly had it in her grasp. But Jovic managed to endure with unrelenting play and enviable mental strength at just 18 years old, and she is now in the round of 16 after winning 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.

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Iva Jovic won one of the matches of the year against Alexandra Eala

Without a doubt, the future of tennis is in good hands with Alexandra Eala and Iva Jovic. In the three hours that the contest lasted, both gave everything they had on the Arthur Ashe court, with the lead changing constantly throughout the match, as well as breaks happening back to back. The American went up 4-1 in the first set, the Filipina rallied to 4-4, but Jovic wanted to avoid going to a tiebreak with the scores so close and managed to hold one of her serves to take the first set (7-5).

However, far from being disheartened, Eala raised her level even further. She was a wall at the net and in defense, but then unleashed a repertoire of unreturnable shots: parallel forehands, cross-court backhands, and a masterclass on how to attack. Jovic tried to weather the storm as best as she could and was very close to making it 4-4, but the Filipina was unstoppable on both return and serve, sealing the second set (6-3).

Slowly, the match leaned towards the Asian player's side, especially after Jovic called for the physio due to muscle discomfort. Eala broke early in the third set, which seemed definitive, but Jovic came back to level it at 2-2. It was a break-fest, and the Filipina broke again. Everything seemed to be heading towards her victory when she went up 4-2, but this match was defying all logic, and in the blink of an eye, the American took a 5-4 lead.

As if that weren't enough, she had a match point, but Eala was able to neutralize it and bring it to 5-5. Both deserved to win the match, and anything could happen, but it was the local player who ended up putting distance between them and closing out the tournament match at the US Open. Alexandra Eala came very close and will learn from this defeat, while Iva Jovic, at just 18 years old, sends a clear message: she has arrived. But she will face an equally demanding challenge in the round of 16 at the US Open: Coco Gauff.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jovic reina en la locura: vence a Eala en un partidazo que tuvo de todo y se cita con Gauff