Alex Eala, Iva Jovic push each other to the limit in 'marathon' US Open match

Alexandra ‘Alex’ Eala fell to Iva Jovic in the third round of the US Open, but for the American, the grueling battle against the Filipina ace felt like a marathon.

The match lasted three hours and three minutes, featured multiple match points, and saw momentum swing back and forth between the two rivals, who also consider each other friends.

When the dust settled, the American prevailed with a gutsy 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 win to oust the Philippine tennis ace.

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

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

Although she emerged victorious, Jovic credited the fight shown by her Filipina counterpart and stressed that she had to mount multiple fightbacks of her own to come away with the hard-fought victory.

"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, but it's really worth it for this feeling," Jovic said in the post-match on-court interview.

"I'm usually not one who 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."

Jovic was already down 2-4 in the third set before winning five of the next six games to flip the script and complete the victory that sent her to the fourth round, her deepest US Open run so far in her young career.

"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. I love you guys," Jovic added.

The victory also improved Jovic’s head-to-head record against Eala to 3-0, with the American having also beaten the Filipina earlier this year at the French Open and HSBC Championships.

The 18-year-old Jovic has also set up a Round of 16 match against fellow American Coco Gauff as they battle for a spot in the quarterfinals.

—JKC, GMA News