MANILA, Philippines — Seeking her first fourth-round entry at the US Open, Alex Eala aims to end her losing spell against Iva Jovic in the third round (round of 32) of the year's final major on Sunday.
The match is set at the Arthur Ashe Stadium Saturday at 7 p.m. in New York (Sunday at 7 a.m. in Manila).
The Filipino tennis ace fell to the American hitter, one of her closest friends on the WTA Tour, twice in as many matches.
World No. 18 Eala first yielded to No. 14 Jovic at the French Open first round, 4-6, 2-6, last May, and at the Queen's Club second round the following month, 2-6, 2-6.
Eala likewise could not stop Jovic in their US Open "Stars of the Exhibition" match, 3-6, on August 28.
The 21-year-old Eala punched her ticket to the main draw's third round after dispatching Oleksandra Oliynykova, 6-1, 6-4, on Friday.
Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Jovic punched her round of 32 ticket after topping Francesca Jones, 4-6, 4-6.
