Three days before the US Open main draw started, Alex Eala and Iva Jovic were sharing laughs at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

On Saturday, friendship will give way to business.

The 21-year-old Filipino tennis star and the world No. 14 American will clash in the Round of 32 at Louis Armstrong Stadium, with a spot in the Last 16 of the final Grand Slam of the year at stake.

No match time had been announced as of press time, but another electric encounter is expected between two close friends who recently shared the court in the “Stars of the Open” exhibition.

Eala and Jovic even turned the one-set exhibition into a family affair, inviting their fathers for an impromptu doubles match that gave fans a lighthearted moment at the historic venue.

But there will be little room for fun when they meet again.

Eala enters the showdown riding the momentum of a 6-1, 6-4 victory over world No. 46 Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine last Friday at the 14,000-seater Louis Armstrong Stadium inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The victory sent Eala into the third round for the first time and surpassed her second-round finish in her US Open main-draw debut last year.

A year into her Women’s Tennis Association Tour journey, Eala said experience has made her more comfortable competing against the sport’s elite.

“I think experience is definitely helpful. I do feel like a more well-rounded player now and more mature. I guess with time comes maturity and intelligence,” Eala said.

“It means a lot for me to get to the weekend. This is my first time being in the third round here at the US Open. Big achievement for me as well.”

Eala said the belief she has developed through competing at the highest level has become one of her biggest weapons.

“I think I just have more knowledge through experience — in terms of tennis, competing at a very high level, knowing what I’m capable of and having belief in myself.”

That confidence will be tested against Jovic, who has beaten Eala twice this year.

The American eliminated Eala in the first round of the French Open last May before stopping her again in the Last 16 of the Queen’s Club Championships in London last June.

“She’s a high-ranked player and very accomplished. I’ve encountered my fair share of challenges against her this year,” Eala said.

Jovic, meanwhile, expects another memorable showdown.

“The atmosphere is going to be amazing and she’s been playing some great tennis,” Jovic said.

“It’s nice to be playing each other in the third round, deeper into the Slam. So hopefully, we can all keep going on runs like this.”

A victory would send Eala into the Last 16 and guarantee her $490,000, or roughly P31 million — potentially the biggest payday of her professional career.

Awaiting the winner is either Cristina Bucsa of Spain, who eliminated Eala in the second round of last year’s US Open, or world No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States, whom the Filipina defeated in the Round of 32 of the BNP Paribas Open last March.

For now, however, Eala has one familiar obstacle standing between her and another piece of history.

Her friend Iva.