Before Alex Eala tests herself in the US Open, she will get one final chance to fine-tune her game against home bet and world No. 14 Iva Jovic in the “Stars of the Open” exhibition match on Friday at 6 a.m. (Manila time) at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.

The 21-year-old Eala will play a one-set match against Jovic in what shapes up as one of her final preparations for the year’s last Grand Slam, while also giving her a feel of the atmosphere awaiting her in the main draw.

Eala trained with seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams on Thursday, days after her mixed doubles campaign ended in a 1-4, 1-4 loss alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada to world No. 9 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine and Gael Monfils of France.

“The US Open is a very electric place to play doubles, and I think mixed doubles especially, with the lineups that there are, is going to be very interesting and a really great opportunity for me,” Eala said.

Fresh off a career-best No. 18 ranking in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), Eala is poised to receive the No. 17 seed, which could hand her a more favorable path in the tournament.

Also joining the exhibition event are fellow rising stars Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, Joao Fonseca of Brazil, Amanda Anisimova, Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen of the United States, as well as Arthur Fils of France.

While Eala and Jovic are close friends, the Filipina has yet to beat the American in a WTA event.

Jovic eliminated Eala in the first round of the French Open in Paris last May and again in the Round of 16 of the Queen’s Club Championships in London in June, making Friday’s exhibition another useful test for the Filipino star.

Eala’s early exits in the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open, both WTA 1000 tournaments, could also prove to be a blessing in disguise as they gave her valuable time to rest and recharge before the US Open.

Eala is seeking another deep Grand Slam run after reaching the Last 16 of Wimbledon last July before falling to Jasmine Paolini of Italy.

She is also determined to eclipse her previous best US Open finish after reaching the second round last year before falling to Cristina Bucsa of Spain.

With her confidence high and a potentially favorable draw ahead, Eala will now look to turn her rapid rise into another breakthrough on tennis’ biggest stage — and perhaps take another step toward becoming the first Filipino and Southeast Asian player to win a Grand Slam singles title.