Alexandra Eala of Philippines reacts against Iva Jovic of the United States during their Women's Singles Third Round match on Day Seven of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Julian Finney, Getty Images/AFP
(2nd UPDATE) American Iva Jovic continues to be a puzzle that Alex Eala can't quite solve.
Jovic scored a hard-earned 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 win over the Filipina tennis star in their third round encounter at the US Open on Saturday [Sunday in Manila], ousting Eala from the year's final Grand Slam.
This is already Jovic's third victory over world no. 18 Eala this year, having also won their first round meeting at the French Open and their second round encounter at Queen's Club.
But unlike those wins — which came in straight sets — this time around Eala dragged Jovic into a thrilling three-set affair that needed three hours and three minutes at the Arthur Ashe Stadium before it could be settled.
"I don't even know what to say. That felt like a marathon, and I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match," said world No. 14 Jovic, who needed treatment on her back before the third set. "But it's really worth it for this feeling."
READ: Alex Eala set for third round clash against 'amazing' Jovic at US Open
Riding the momentum of her win in the second set, Eala surged to a 4-2 advantage in the third and looked all set to take control of the match.
But a gutsy hold by Jovic in the seventh game turned the tide in her favor, and the American won three straight games — including a sensational love hold in the ninth — to take a 5-4 advantage.
Eala displayed tremendous grit in holding to stay in the match. The Filipina saved a match point when Jovic overshot a backhand, and two more errors by the American knotted the count at 5-5. But Jovic was quick to recover, holding comfortably for a 6-5 advantage.
A forehand winner put Jovic at match point anew, but Eala still had her chances. Unfortunately for the Filipina, she dumped a forehand into the net in the final rally, and Jovic fell to the ground in celebration of an emotional win.
"I'm usually not one that shows that many emotions, but this one really meant a lot to me, so it's everything to have another match here at the US Open," said Jovic.
Jovic had gotten off to a strong start, surging to a 4-1 advantage in the opener before Eala found her rhythm. She broke the American for a 5-5 count, but Jovic immediately broke back for a 6-5 lead. Jovic made sure to capitalize, holding to love to take the opener after 62 minutes.
But Eala refused to go away quietly. She broke Jovic in the fourth game of the second set for a pivotal 3-1 lead, and held firm from there. Jovic was broken again in the eighth game, with the American double-faulting to gift Eala the final point. A comfortable hold from the Filipina sent the match to a decider.
Eala was in control early in the third set, leading 2-0 and then 4-2, but ultimately couldn't finish off the gutsy Jovic.
Both players were warmly applauded by the Arthur Ashe crowd for their sensational play, and Jovic acknowledged their support.
"I just tried to take my time in those moments and feel the energy, feel the crowd even though they weren't always rooting for me," she said, when asked about her mentality in the third set.
"I love you guys, and you gave me so much energy to just keep pushing and just leave absolutely everything on the court for the win," she added.
The 18-year-old Jovic will play world no. 4 Coco Gauff in the round-of-16.
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, turned back Spain's Cristina Bucsa in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. The American is on a nine-match winning streak after triumphing in the Cincinnati warmup tournament.
Also making it to the fourth round is two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka, who defeated Belgian Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, meanwhile, pulled off a 1-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 stunner over Madison Keys, winning the last seven games to advance to the fourth round.
Zheng, currently ranked 121st in the world, will face six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek for a place in the quarter-finals.
Swiatek saved three set points in the second set, dominating both tiebreakers in her tight 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/3) win over Czech Maria Bouzkova.