Andy Roddick and John Isner both believe the third-round meeting between Alex Eala and Iva Jovic could be one of the US Open’s most compelling matches so far.

Jovic, the home favourite, faces her friend Eala for a place in the fourth round, with the winner potentially meeting Coco Gauff next. Their rivalry is already established: the 18-year-old American has won both previous meetings in straight sets, once at the French Open and once at Queen’s Club.

The pair arrive with little separating them in the rankings. Eala, despite the attention around her, is just one place behind Jovic in the WTA Tour standings, with Jovic 16th and Eala 17th.

Ahead of Saturday’s match, Roddick said he hoped the contest would be staged on Arthur Ashe Stadium. He also suggested that Eala’s growing support could tilt the atmosphere. He said on Served, “The third round that I have had circled on the women’s side. Get your popcorn ready. Two future and current stars: Eala and Jovic. I hope they put this on Ashe. It might be an away game for Jovic even in America with Eala Mania.”

Isner was equally convinced the matchup has marquee appeal. Speaking on Nothing Major, he called the reaction around Eala “kind of crazy” and described the contest as a “blockbuster” matchup. He said, “Jovic-Eala for me… that reeks of Arthur Ashe Stadium. She played after [Gael] Monfils the other night. It was a full house; it doesn’t matter where she plays.

“Ticket prices have surged over 134% for her matches. It’s kind of crazy. She certainly does [move the needle].

“Manny Pacquiao was a great boxer from the Philippines; how huge he was. She’s not there yet to that level but man, that matchup is awesome. Jovic-Eala, that’s a blockbuster.”

Eala has reached this stage after losing just eight games, while Jovic has not been taken to three sets and has conceded 16 games. Jovic said she was relishing the occasion and the crowd around it. “The atmosphere is gonna be amazing, and she’s been playing some great tennis,” Jovic said. “It’s nice to be playing each other third round, deeper into the Slam, so hopefully we can all keep going on runs like this.”

Carlos Alcaraz continued to make a strong case for his comeback at the US Open, sweeping past Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 to move into the last 16 in New York.

Before the tournament, some prominent voices questioned whether returning to a best-of-five-set Grand Slam after four-and-a-half months out with a wrist injury was wise. Andy Roddick and Greg Rusedski were among those who felt Alcaraz would be unlikely to gamble with his long-term health by coming back in the sport’s longest format.

So far, those doubts have not held up on court. The seven-time Grand Slam winner has handled his opening three matches at Flushing Meadows with authority and now looks increasingly like the leading candidate to complete a remarkable title run. Even so, Alcaraz suggested there is still more to come before his fourth-round meeting with Tommy Paul.

“Today was a really high rhythm. The way he plays, his balls leap around the court, but I stayed there and played aggressively and smart,” said Alcaraz.

“In the toughest moments, I did everything good, which I’m really happy about.

“Could it be better? Yes. But overall I’m just really proud and happy with the performance today.

“To be honest, I’m playing better than I thought [after over four months out injured with his wrist].

“Physically, I thought I was going to be dead after the first match. But I’m recovering really well.

“My level right now is really good, I’ve got the rhythm of the competition every time I step on the court.”

That assessment appears fair. His serve is gaining pace, his forehand is being struck with heavy power and his competitive edge looks fully restored, helped by strong backing from the large group in his box.

Alcaraz also has one of the biggest travelling entourages in men’s tennis, with coaches, brothers, parents and managers all trying to secure seats for each match. Family remains central to him, and when asked to name a dream doubles partner from his own relatives, he chose his younger brother.

“I have to say Jamie,” said Alcaraz. “He is doing great. Hopefully one day I can play doubles with him. I’m waiting for him.”

For now, the storyline is simple: Alcaraz is playing with enough control and conviction to challenge the usual assumptions about what is possible after injury, and he is doing it at Grand Slam level.

Alex Eala’s progress at the 2026 US Open has prompted high praise from a former finalist, who compared her qualities to Rafael Nadal and Jannik Sinner while also calling her the best returner in the game.

Eala has advanced to the third round in New York after back-to-back straight-set victories over Mary Stoiana and Oleksandra Oliynykova. The 21-year-old, seeded 17th, now prepares for a high-profile meeting with world No 14 Iva Jovic on Saturday at Flushing Meadows.

On the latest edition of his Off Court With Greg Rusedski podcast, former world No 4 Greg Rusedski offered a detailed assessment of Eala’s game and mentality.

“When I watch her, she reminds me a little bit of Rafael Nadal; the intensity she has on the court,” said the former British No 1.

“And you look at her positioning with her body. She’s always at the same level with her height when she moves from the back of the court, almost a little bit reminiscent of the intensity of Rafael, but the level on height with the bending of the knees like Jannik Sinner.

“So, it’s a brilliant combination she has. And the mindset is second to none. So yes, she’s got this third round match that’s coming up.

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“That’s going to be very, very difficult, but I think she finds a way to get back in the fourth round of a Slam again, after she did it at Wimbledon.”

Rusedski was equally struck by the Filipina’s returning skills.

“Well, she’s technically so sound,” Rusedski assessed. “She obviously has an incredible vision, reads her opponent’s serves and patterns exceptionally well, standing in on the court.

“And if you look at her techniques, they’re very simple, straight back, straight through. So that allows her to take the ball very early. And that’s something you can see that she’s practised from a very, very young age.

“And for me, she’s probably the best return of serve player in the world at the moment. The way she can take it so early, take your time away. It doesn’t matter if she’s facing a big server or someone who’s serving slow, she’s willing to step in.

“But the key ingredient to getting to the very top is that serve. So then she can get the first strike in and get aggressive as she does on the return. So the full package is coming together very nicely.”