Alex Eala to face Iva Jovic in US Open exhibition

FIULE–USA’s Iva Jovic and the Phillipines’ Alexa Eala during a doubles on the opening day of the 2026 ASB Classic Women’s Tennis Tournament at Manuka Doctor Arena, Auckland, New Zealand. Monday 5 January 2026. – Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala sees action next in the “Stars of the Open,” an exhibition spectacle of the 2026 US Open.

Eala takes on her friend and hometown bet Iva Jovic on Friday (Philippine time), with the proceeds of the WTA and ATP exhibition games going to the USTA Foundation.

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The Filipino tennis ace will be part of the pre-tournament event, where Amanda Anisimova takes on Marta Kostyuk and ATP stars also playing exhibition, with Flavio Cobolli battling Learner Tien and Arthur Fils taking on Alex Michelsen.

Eala lost her past two WTA matches against Jovic. The Filipino fell to her American friend in the first round of the French Open and also yielded in the HSBC Championship round of 16.

The 21-year-old Eala made her Grand Slam mixed doubles debut with Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime before losing to spouses Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, 4-1, 4-1.

Now at World No.18, Eala looks to surpass her final 16 entry at Wimbledon in her second main draw appearance at the US Open.

The Rafa Nadal Academy graduate from the Philippines earned a breakthrough Grand Slam win in last year’s US Open.