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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Alex Eala bows to close friend Jovic in US Open exhibition

Alex Eala bows to close friend Jovic in US Open exhibition

Published Aug 28, 2026 02:20 pm

At A Glance

  • The 21-year-old Eala drew cheers from the rapturous crowd in her Stars of the Open appearance, where she battled and eventually bowed to her American friend Iva Jovic, 3-6, at the fabled Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York Friday, Aug. 28 (Philippine time).
(Screengrab from US Open YouTube)
(Screengrab from US Open YouTube)
No doubt, Alex Eala was a star after lighting up the U.S. Open even in an exhibition game.
The 21-year-old Eala drew cheers from the rapturous crowd in her Stars of the Open appearance, where she battled and eventually bowed to her American friend Iva Jovic, 3-6, at the fabled Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York Friday, Aug. 28 (Philippine time).
Before springing into action in the women's singles field, Eala and the 18-year-old Jovic delighted the crowd with their showdown which got more fun after their dads Mike and Bojan joined them on the center court in the latter part of the match.
The two young guns also exchanged sweet pleasantries in each other’s native languages, with Jovic speaking in Tagalog while Eala delivering her lines in Croatian.
“Alex, ang galing mo,” said Jovic.
“Iva, ti si najbolja [you’re the best],” Eala replied.
Aside from Eala and Jovic, Americans Amanda Anisimova, Alex Michelsen, and Learner Tien, Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, Brazilian Joao Fonseca, and Frenchman Arthur Fils also competed in the annual charity event of the U.S. Open.
Ranked No. 18, the charming Filipina lefty is seeded as 17th and set to face a qualifier in the opening round of the meet.
World No. 14 Jovic, on the other hand, is 14th seed and also takes on an entry from the qualifiers.

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Alex Eala Iva Jovic US Open
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