Sports
Alex Eala falls to Iva Jovic in French Open first round
Alexandra Eala of Philippines returns to Iva Jovic of the U.S. during their first round men’s singles tennis match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala suffered a first-round exit in the French Open singles tournament after losing to Iva Jovic, 6-4, 6-2, on Tuesday.
Despite a gritty showing, Eala only led once–a 1-0 advantage in the second set–in a match that lasted one hour and 40 minutes.
READ: Alex Eala feels more equipped in French Open return
Jovic responded with back-to-back games before Eala held to love to level at 2-2.
That proved to be Eala’s final stand, as the American teen, currently No. 17 in the world, won four straight games to close out the match and advance to the second round against Emma Navarro.
Iva Jovic of the U.S. reacts as she plays against Alexandra Eala of Philippines during their first round men’s singles tennis match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
It was the first singles meeting between Eala and Jovic, who are also close friends and sometime doubles partners. The two embraced at the net after the match.
READ: Alex Eala embracing clay growth ahead of French Open
Eala bowed out early in her second straight Roland Garros main-draw appearance, but she is set to compete in the doubles tournament with partner and fellow rising star Victoria Mboko.
The Filipino tennis star, ranked No. 37 in the WTA, put up a strong fight in the opening set, rallying from a 5-1 deficit.
She broke twice to pull within 5-4, but Jovic broke back to seal the set.
Eala continues her French Open campaign as she and Mboko face the pair of Filipino-American Leylah Fernandez and Diana Shnaider.
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