Iva Jovic ‘loses sanity five times over’ to outlast Alex Eala in US Open

Iva Jovic, left, of the United States, embraces Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, after Jovic won in three sets in the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

American teen Iva Jovic outlasted Filipino star Alex Eala in an epic three-hour showdown on Sunday (Manila time) to reach the fourth round of the US Open, where fourth seed Coco Gauff awaits.

Jovic, the 14th seed, won five of the last six games for a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 triumph over 17th-seed Eala after three hours and three minutes.

“That felt like a marathon and I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match,” Jovic said. “But it’s really worth it for this feeling.”

READ: Alex Eala loses to Iva Jovic in US Open third round thriller

"I feel like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match." 😅

Iva Jovic after battling close friend Alex Eala to advance to the Round of 16. pic.twitter.com/z7gcv3TeGX

— espnW (@espnW) September 6, 2026

Two of the top rising stars of women’s tennis made their Arthur Ashe Stadium debut a memorable battle that featured 17 service breaks in 33 games.

Jovic, 18 and Eala, 21, are friends and sometimes doubles partners, knowing well each other’s skills and style. That helped produce seven service breaks in the first 11 games.

“I’m usually not one that shows that many emotions but this one really meant a lot to me. It’s everything to have another match here at the US Open,” said Jovic.

USA’s Iva Jovic reacts after defeating Philippines’ Alexandra Eala during their women’s singles third round tennis match against on day seven of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on September 5, 2026. (Photo by Leonardo MUNOZ / AFP)

That match will be against compatriot Gauff, the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open champion.

“I’m going to be more than happy to just bring this fight and this energy and whatever happens I can leave with my head high,” Jovic said.

Jovic broke four times to win the first set but was broken three times by left-hander Eala to drop the second.

READ: Alex Eala looks for more improvement vs Iva Jovic in US Open third round

Iva Jovic outlasts Alexandra Eala in three thrilling sets! pic.twitter.com/njhI5ro4hN

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2026

Eala broke Jovic in the first game of the third set when the American netted a backhand.

“I just tried to take my time in those moments and feel the energy and feel the crowd — even though they weren’t always rooting for me,” Jovic said.

Jovic smacked a forehand winner to break Eala in the fourth game and level the set, but the American double-faulted away a break in the fifth.

Jovic broke back to 4-4 with a backhand service return winner and broke again in the last game, smacking a forehand winner to reach match point and taking the victory when Eala netted a forehand.

Jovic, a quarter-finalist at this year’s Australian Open, won her first WTA title last year in Guadalajara at age 17.