MANILA, Philippines – Friendship will take a back seat when 21-year-old Filipina tennis star Alex Eala faces 18-year-old American Iva Jovic in the third round of the US Open.
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| Photo courtesy: SPOTV |
Eala, the world No. 18 and No. 17 seed, advanced with a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory over Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova.
Jovic, the world No. 14 and tournament’s No. 14 seed, also booked her spot in the third round after defeating Britain’s Francesca Jones, 6-4, 6-4.
The matchup gives Eala another opportunity to overcome Jovic, who has won both of their previous WTA Tour meetings.
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Jovic defeated Eala, 6-4, 6-2, in the first round of the French Open in May before winning again, 6-2, 6-2, at the HSBC Championships in London in June.
Their latest encounter will be their first on a hard court, where Eala has enjoyed a breakthrough season highlighted by her maiden WTA singles title at the Mubadala DC Open.
Eala described Jovic as an “amazing” player who is young, talented and intelligent, while acknowledging the challenges she has faced against the highly ranked American.
“She’s a high-ranking player and very accomplished,” Eala said, adding that she has encountered her “fair share of challenges” against Jovic this year.
Jovic, meanwhile, said she was “super excited” to face Eala deeper into a Grand Slam and expects an “amazing” atmosphere when they meet.
“It’s nice to be playing each other in the third round, deeper into the Slam,” Jovic said.
The two have also partnered in doubles, reaching the semifinals of the ASB Classic in January before bowing out in the first round at Indian Wells.
Their friendship was also on display before the US Open main draw, when they shared the court with their fathers during the “Stars of the Open” exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Now, however, the friends will put their camaraderie aside as they battle for a place in the fourth round.
A victory would send Eala into the fourth round and match her best Grand Slam showing after she reached the same stage at Wimbledon earlier this year.
It would also give the Filipina her first win over Jovic after two straight-set defeats in their previous encounters.
— The Summit Express
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