Filipina tennis star Alex Eala battles close friend and world No. 14 Iva Jovic of the United States in the third round of the 2026 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

The 21-year-old Eala, seeded No. 17, is seeking a breakthrough victory over Jovic and a spot in the fourth round.

Jovic owns a 2-0 career record against Eala, having beaten the Filipina at Roland Garros and the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club earlier this year.

Eala reached the third round after defeating Mary Stoiana, 6-1, 6-2, and Oleksandra Oliynykova, 6-1, 6-4. Jovic advanced after beating Magdalena Frech, 7-5, 6-3, and Francesca Jones, 6-4, 6-4.

The winner will advance to the round of 16 and face defending champion Coco Gauff, who defeated Cristina Bucsa, 6-3, 6-4.

LIVE UPDATES

JOVIC LEVELS SECOND SET AT 1-1

World No. 14 Iva Jovic holds serve to tie the second set at 1-1 against Alex Eala in their US Open third-round clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Eala is trying to force a deciding set after dropping the opener, 7-5.

EALA STRIKES FIRST IN SECOND SET

Alex Eala holds serve to take a 1-0 lead in the second set against world No. 14 Iva Jovic of the United States, looking to force a deciding third set after narrowly losing the opener, 7-5.

JOVIC TAKES FIRST SET, 7-5

World No. 14 Iva Jovic of the United States claims a tightly contested opening set, 7-5, against Alex Eala in their US Open third-round showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Eala fought back from an early break down and managed to level the set at 4-4, then again at 5-5, but Jovic regained control late and closed out the set to move one step closer to the round of 16.

JOVIC MOVES AHEAD 6-5

World No. 14 Iva Jovic of the United States holds serve to take a 6-5 lead over Alex Eala in the opening set of their US Open third-round clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

EALA LEVELS IT AT 5-5

Alex Eala breaks back to tie the opening set at 5-5 against world No. 14 Iva Jovic in their US Open third-round clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

JOVIC BREAKS FOR 5-4 LEAD

World No. 14 Iva Jovic of the United States breaks Alex Eala’s serve to move ahead 5-4 in the opening set of their US Open third-round clash.

EALA LEVELS IT AT 4-4

Alex Eala fights back to tie the opening set at 4-4 against world No. 14 Iva Jovic in their US Open third-round clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

EALA PULLS WITHIN ONE

Alex Eala holds serve to cut world No. 14 Iva Jovic’s lead to 4-3 in the opening set of their US Open third-round clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Jovic entered the match with a 2-0 career record against Eala.

JOVIC LEADS 4-2

World No. 14 Iva Jovic of the United States holds a 4-2 advantage over Alex Eala in the opening set of their US Open third-round clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

JOVIC LEADS 3-1

World No. 14 Iva Jovic holds serve to extend her first-set advantage to 3-1 against Alex Eala.

JOVIC BREAKS FOR 2-1

Jovic breaks Eala’s serve to take the first advantage of the match, moving ahead 2-1 in the opening set.

JOVIC LEVELS AT 1-1

Jovic holds serve to tie the first set at 1-1.

EALA STARTS WITH 1-0 LEAD

Eala holds serve in the opening game to take a 1-0 lead against Jovic.

MATCH UNDERWAY

Eala and Jovic begin their highly anticipated third-round showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The two rising stars are close friends off the court and have also played doubles together, but friendship takes a back seat with a place in the second week of the US Open at stake. The official US Open described the matchup as a meeting between two Top 20 players on the tournament’s biggest stage.