Iva Jovic turned in a superb display to get past Alex Eala in what has been the most compelling match of the US Open to this point.

In a three-set contest full of momentum shifts, the teenage American found a way through after a fierce battle that tested both players from start to finish. The result sends Jovic into the fourth round, where Coco Gauff awaits.

For Eala, the loss ends a strong tournament run and closes a stretch in which she produced her best form across the North American hardcourt swing.

Even with Jovic representing the United States, the crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium backed the Filipina for much of the match. That atmosphere became a talking point afterward, and Jovic addressed it in her post-match press conference.

“I would say it was a little more for her, so back-and-forth but more back on my side,” said the teenager following her latest US Open victory.

“I love it and looking back I think that exhibition was a really great learning experience for me, I’m really glad I played that because it was pretty much the same atmosphere, because that was kind of my first time and this was my second time, which was nice to experience.

“That’s what you want. I don’t care if they’re cheering for me, against me, I don’t care who they support, there’s so many people there, it’s the biggest stadium in tennis, so I’m just really grateful to have been a part of it.”

The American presence remains a major storyline as the fourth round begins. Five Americans were still alive in the draw, though that number will drop to four before the quarter finals because Jovic and Gauff meet in the round of 16.

Jessica Pegula, Taylor Townsend, and Emma Navarro are also set for fourth round matches. Townsend faces world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Pegula takes on Sorana Cirstea, and Navarro meets Anna Kalinskaya.

That depth underlines the strength of the American women on the WTA Tour, and there is still a real possibility that the title stays with a player from the nation. The last American woman to win the US Open was Gauff in 2023, when she beat Sabalenka in the final.

American women have enjoyed far greater success at the event than the American men, who have not won the US Open since Andy Roddick’s triumph in 2009. Since 2000, American women have won the tournament nine times, with Serena Williams responsible for most of those victories.

Alex Eala’s run at the US Open is over, but her season still has a demanding stretch ahead on the WTA Tour.

The 21-year-old has logged a heavy load on the North American hardcourt swing, a period in which she has arguably produced the strongest tennis of her career so far. That spell included a title at the Washington Open, a place in the round of 16 at the Canadian Open and a run to the round of 32 at the Cincinnati Open.

At the US Open, Eala also recorded her best result at the event to date by reaching the third round. Her campaign ended there in three sets against her friend Iva Jovic.

Now she is preparing for the WTA Tour’s Asian swing, although one major change is already set in stone. Eala will miss the China Open so that she can represent her country at the Asian Games. After her exit in New York, she explained why she chose that route rather than entering the Masters event.

Speaking about her upcoming schedule, the Filipina star said: “Before that, I believe I’ll be in Singapore. But yeah, I love playing and competing with the Philippine team.

“You know, the SEA games, the Asian Games I’ve also done. I think it’s a really fun environment and I love being with the team especially this last SEA games in December.

“I had such a great time and I think they’re really memories that stick with me and and, you know, the Asian Games happens once every four years and I just found myself drawn to competing in that aside from other stuff.”

Eala has won six medals at the SEA Games for the Philippines, including singles gold at the 2025 event in Thailand. She also earned two bronze medals at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, in singles and mixed doubles.

Because she did not play the China Open last year, she will not lose ranking points there. Even so, there remains uncertainty over whether the WTA Tour could fine her or apply a points penalty, since the China Open is one of the mandatory tournaments on the calendar.

Iva Jovic and Alex Eala delivered one of the standout matches of the 2026 US Open in the third round, with Jovic prevailing 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match played out before a loud crowd and ended with the two long-time friends sharing a hug at the net.

Jovic moves on to the fourth round, where she will meet Coco Gauff. Eala, meanwhile, turns her attention to the WTA Tour’s Asian swing after a run that made a strong impression both on and off the court.

Andy Roddick, speaking on Served, was taken by the standard set by both players and also spoke about the Filipino support behind Eala in New York. “Fans were into it, cheering for their person, but doing it with class. Like Eala’s fan base is obviously massive. It’s obviously loyal. And I’m sorry, they’re so respectful,” said the American.

“They are,” he continued. “I wanted to see it in person in the big arena tonight. And I was sitting up top for the first set and a half and it was just everything about this match was why we love tennis.”

Eala’s matches were among the best attended of the tournament, with all three of her appearances staged on either Louis Armstrong or Arthur Ashe. Her matches also attracted surge pricing and drew strong support from the Filipino community in the area.

Reflecting on that backing after the match, Eala said: “It’s indescribable to sum up the support and how it makes me feel in just a few words. It’s a real privilege to experience this in a lifetime.

“Playing on Arthur Ashe, and feeling the support, being in those environments, learning these lessons, and fighting and doing what I love. I’m really happy.

“I’m really lucky to have these opportunities, to have these people support me, and to be working hard, to be able to work hard… to be able to live this life how I’m living it.”

Eala is set for time away from competition after her US Open campaign. Her next event is the Singapore Open, which begins on Monday, 21st September. She will then represent the Philippines at the Asian Games, scheduled from 19th September to 4th October, with tennis starting on 27th September.

She has chosen that route instead of the China Open, and is expected to return to WTA action at the Wuhan Open, which begins on October 12th.