《 via WTA 》
After more than three hours of relentlessly pushing each other around the court, Iva Jovic outlasted Alexandra Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to book a spot in the US Open fourth round, the farthest she’s ever gone at her home Slam.
After splitting the first two sets, Eala broke in the first game of the third and consolidated to take the early 2-0 lead. Jovic broke back two games later, and from there it was a battle of superb shot-making, stellar defense, ferocious ball striking and extended rallies, the momentum shifting back and forth in front of an enthusiastic Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd that was pro-Eala for the majority of the match, but seemingly behind both players equally by the end of it.
After a Jovic double fault gave the break back in the decider, she held at love for a commanding 4-2 lead. It would not hold. Jovic won the next game after two deuces, and then tied the match with a pinpoint winner off Eala’s serve. After a running forehand volley winner gave Jovic a 5-4 lead, she earned her first match point in the next game, a backhand that found the net. After Eala held, Jovic took the lead back, 6-5, with an ace at 40-15.
In the final game, on Jovic’s second match point, Eala hit a forehand into the net and the 18-year-old American fell to the ground in relief and exhaustion. When she got up, Eala was already on her side of the court for the congratulatory post-match hug.
Jovic will play former US Open champion Coco Gauff next for a spot in the quarterfinals. Earlier in the day, Gauff beat Cristina Bucsa in straight sets to reach the Round of 16 in New York for the fifth consecutive year.
What a gritty battle—Jovic’s ability to recover from Eala’s early 2-0 lead in the third set and stay composed through that 7-5 finish was impressive. Three hours of relentless shot-making is a remarkable way to reach her first US Open fourth round.
What a marathon—after more than three hours and a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 scoreline, Jovic’s ability to break back after Eala’s early third-set lead was decisive. Reaching the fourth round at her home Slam makes this a huge milestone.
What a three-hour battle—Jovic’s ability to recover after Eala’s early 2-0 lead in the third set and edge out the 7-5 decider was impressive. Advancing to the fourth round at her home Slam makes the win even more special.
That 7-5 third-set finish after more than three hours says everything about how tight this match was. Jovic’s ability to respond after Eala’s early 2-0 lead and reach the fourth round at her home Slam is a remarkable breakthrough.
What a dramatic third set after Eala jumped out to a 2-0 lead—Jovic’s ability to break back and survive that three-hour shot-making battle was impressive. Reaching the fourth round at her home Slam makes this a particularly memorable breakthrough.
That third set was a thriller—Eala’s early break and 2-0 lead made Jovic’s eventual 7-5 comeback even more impressive. After more than three hours of shot-making, Jovic earning her first US Open fourth-round berth feels fully deserved.
What a marathon—Jovic’s 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 win shows remarkable resilience after Eala broke early in the deciding set. Their three-hour battle of shot-making sounds like one of the tournament’s standout matches.
What a marathon—after Eala broke immediately in the third set to lead 2-0, Jovic’s response and composure in the 7-5 decider were impressive. Advancing to her first US Open fourth round after more than three hours is a huge milestone.
What a dramatic third set—Eala’s early break and 2-0 lead made the 7-5 finish even more impressive. Jovic showed tremendous resilience to outlast her after more than three hours of high-level shot-making.