Iva Jovic and Alexandra Eala Set for US Open Clash Between Close Friends

Posted : 05 September 2026

Iva Jovic and Alexandra Eala will put their close friendship aside when they meet in the third round of the 2026 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday. The matchup brings together two of women's tennis' most promising young stars, with both already inside the world's top 20.

Jovic enters the contest as the No. 14 seed and world No. 16, while Eala is seeded 17th and ranked No. 18. Both players have already claimed WTA titles and reached major milestones at Grand Slam level, making their meeting more than a contest between emerging prospects.

Eala reached the third round after producing a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory over Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova. The 21-year-old Filipino left-hander was backed by a passionate crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium as she continued her breakthrough season.

Jovic also advanced in straight sets, defeating Britain's Francesca Jones 6-4, 6-4. The 18-year-old American has earned a seeded position at her home Grand Slam and will now face a player she knows particularly well.

Their friendship dates back to 2022, when they first crossed paths on the junior circuit. Their relationship has continued on the professional tour, including a successful doubles partnership at the 2026 ASB Classic in Auckland, where they reached the semifinals.

Jovic has also spoken about the challenge of competing against friends. She said players can enjoy friendships away from the court but must switch their focus when competition begins. Eala shares the same approach as both prepare to fight for a place in the last 16.

The singles rivalry, however, has been dominated by Jovic. She defeated Eala 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the French Open before recording another straight-sets victory, 6-2, 6-2, at the HSBC Championships in London. Their US Open meeting will be their first official singles contest on a hard court.

That makes the New York clash particularly intriguing. Eala has enjoyed major success on hard courts this season, including her breakthrough WTA 500 title in Washington, while Jovic has continued to establish herself as one of America's leading young players.

The match also carries wider significance for women's tennis. Both players are already making deep Grand Slam runs at an age when many competitors are still trying to establish themselves on tour.

For Eala, victory would deliver a historic fourth-round appearance at the US Open and another major moment for Philippine tennis. For Jovic, winning in front of the New York crowd would strengthen her position as one of the leading young American players.

Iva Jovic and Alexandra Eala Set for US Open Clash Between Close Friends

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