Jovic advances at US Open after overcoming friend Eala in three-set battle
Iva Jovic defeated Alex Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a three-hour, three-minute match to reach the round of 16, where she will face Coco Gauff.
American Iva Jovic has reached the US Open round of 16 after defeating her friend and occasional doubles partner Alex Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a match lasting three hours and three minutes.
The result was secured after Jovic won five of the final six games. The match featured 17 service breaks across 33 games, with the players’ familiarity with each other producing a contest shaped by repeated shifts in momentum.
Al Jazeera reported that Jovic was moved to tears after Eala walked around the court to congratulate her and later embraced her. Jovic said the gesture reflected Eala’s character and sportsmanship following a demanding match.
Eala, who won her first WTA title in Washington before the US Open, said she had chances but was pleased with her overall performance. She said she had fought through the match and tried to focus on the positive despite the defeat.
Jovic will next play fellow American Coco Gauff, the fourth seed and a former US Open champion. Jovic had previously defeated Eala at the French Open and Queen’s Club earlier this season.
