‘I left everything out there’

Alexandra Eala, of the Philippines, celebrates after a point against Iva Jovic, of the United States, during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala kept her head high after a gut-wrenching loss to her friend and budding rival Iva Jovic in the third round of the US Open on Sunday (Manila time).

Eala appeared on her way to the last 16 in Flushing Meadows, leading 4-2 at break point, 40-30, in the deciding set before Jovic mounted a ferocious fightback to steal the game and ultimately the match.

The Filipino star admitted she felt disappointed losing a winnable match but also found solace in how their much-awaited showdown lived up to its billing as a marquee match on the world’s biggest tennis stadium.

READ: Alex Eala mania heads to Singapore Tennis Open next

“I do think I’ve grown as a player since the last time we played each other. I definitely think that in this match, I had my chances and I was able to kind of set myself up with opportunities, which was great and I’m happy with the match in general,” she said in the post-match press conference.

“Of course, there’s disappointment with losing, but [I’m] trying to see the positive side. I think it was a really good match. I think the level was really high. Congrats to Iva for pushing through.”

Eala fell to Jovic for the third time in as many meetings this season after getting swept by the American teen sensation in the first round at Roland Garros last May and the round of 16 at Queen’s Club just 15 days later.

Even though the result was the same, Eala closed the gap and pushed Jovic to her limit this time before absorbing a 5-7, 6-3, 5-7 defeat in their three-hour slugfest.

“What I learned tonight, I have yet to process, but what I know for sure is that I left everything out there. I fought through the ups and downs, moments where I wasn’t playing so good, [and] moments where I was playing really good. What I know for a fact is that I fought, so I’m happy with that,” the 21-year-old Eala said.