Jovic puts friendship with Eala aside to win three-hour US Open battle

Iva Jovic and Alexandra Eala left their friendship outside Arthur Ashe Stadium for three hours on Saturday, then embraced the intensity of a tight U.S. Open battle. The 18-year-old American eventually prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to reach the fourth round.

The two rising stars had shared the court during Fan Week in New York, teaming up with their fathers for a light-hearted doubles session. There was little room for sentiment once their singles match began. Jovic took a closely contested opening set, but Eala raised her level in the second to force a decider.

The final set brought another series of momentum swings. Jovic trailed 4-2 before fighting back to close out the match and improve her record against Eala to 3-0, with victories on all three surfaces.

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That felt like a marathon. I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match. But it's really worth it for this feeling.

"That felt like a marathon. I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match. But it's really worth it for this feeling," Jovic said on court. "I'm usually not one that shows that many emotions. But this one really meant a lot to me. It's everything to have another match at the U.S. Open."

Her victory provided a bright moment for American tennis on a difficult day, as Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova were among the home players eliminated. Ranked a career-high 14th, Jovic had never advanced beyond the second round in two previous U.S. Open appearances. She has now reached the last 16 at three Grand Slam tournaments this season. Her reward is an all-American meeting with fourth seed Coco Gauff, who beat Spain's Cristina Bucsa earlier Saturday.

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I'm usually not one that shows that many emotions. But this one really meant a lot to me. It's everything to have another match at the U.S. Open.