Alex Eala vs Iva Jovic: High-Stakes Rivalry at US Open

Alex Eala has been here twice before with Iva Jovic. Same court, same opponent, same frustration walking off.

This time, the stakes are higher. So is the belief.

The world No. 18 from the Philippines has powered into the third round of the US Open with back-to-back straight-sets wins, dropping just eight games in two matches. She swept Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine, 6-1, 6-4, then dismantled American qualifier Mary Stoiana, 6-1, 6-2, to book a showdown with Jovic — the American world No. 14 who has become both a close friend and an on-court problem.

The problem? Eala hasn’t solved her. Not yet.

Earlier this year, Jovic beat her comprehensively at the HSBC Championships, 6-2, 6-2, then repeated the trick at Roland Garros in the first round, 6-4, 6-2. Same story: Eala chasing, Jovic dictating.

Now they meet again in New York, with the rivalry edging into something more serious.

Jovic, 18, has handled her own business at Flushing Meadows, moving through the draw without dropping a set. She opened with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Fran Jones, then raised her level to oust Magda Frech, 7-5, 6-3, to reach the last 32.

“Super excited, the atmosphere is going to be amazing,” Jovic said of facing Eala. “It’s super nice to be playing each other in the third round, deeper in the slams, so hopefully we keep going at runs like these.”

There’s genuine warmth between them. They know each other’s games. They know each other’s families. They even shared the court in a lighter setting recently, teaming up with their fathers in a fun doubles hit during the Stars of the Open fan event.

That familiarity doesn’t soften the edge. If anything, it sharpens it.

“Iva, she’s an amazing player, young, very talented, and very intelligent,” Eala said. “She’s higher ranked and very accomplished, and I’ve encountered my fair share of challenges against her this year.”

Those “challenges” are straight-set defeats that still sting. Jovic’s aggressive baseline patterns, her ability to take time away, and her composure in big moments have so far kept Eala at arm’s length.

Eala’s response has been to strip it back to what she can control.

“It’s not under my control who I play. I just do my best and try to do everything I can to win,” she said.

That mindset has carried her through the opening rounds, where she has looked sharp, disciplined, and ruthless on return. Against Oliynykova, she jumped on short balls and closed quickly. Against Stoiana, she never allowed the American qualifier to settle, racing through the match with a mix of heavy topspin and smart point construction.

Now comes a different test: an opponent who knows her patterns, knows her tendencies, and has already beaten her twice this season.

The third round will be their third meeting of the year. Same names on the scoreboard, very different backdrop. A Grand Slam, Jovic at home, Eala chasing a breakthrough win that could tilt the dynamic of their young rivalry.

They are friends off court. On Saturday in New York (Sunday in Manila), that friendship pauses at the baseline.

The time and court are still to be confirmed. The storyline is not.

For Eala, it’s simple: third time, or wait again for the chance to finally flip this script.