Iva Jovic reached the US Open fourth round for the first time after defeating close friend Alex Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a three-hour-and-14-minute battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium, recovering from a 4-2 deficit in the deciding set to edge the Filipino in a dramatic finish.
The match was marked by intensity on court and emotion off it, as Jovic and Eala balanced their friendship with fierce competition. Jovic's comeback extended her head-to-head record against Eala to 3-0.
