Several highlight matches are on the schedule for Monday in the US Open round of 16. Alexandra Eala is no longer in the tournament.
Iva Jovic won the clash of top talents against her friend Alexandra Eala and reached the US Open round of 16 for the first time. After a battle lasting more than three hours, the 18-year-old American won 7-5, 3-6, 7-5—after which Jovic and Eala (Philippines) embraced on the court. Naomi Osaka also advanced to the next round after a nail-biter.
In a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium, Jovic celebrated her third appearance in a Grand Slam round of 16. A highlight match against her compatriot Coco Gauff now awaits her on Monday. Eala (21), on the other hand, failed to reach the round of 16—as she had at Wimbledon—despite the support of numerous Filipino fans in the stands.
“I don’t even know what to say,” Jovic said in an on-court interview with former German player Andrea Petkovic: “It felt like a marathon, and I lost my mind about five times during the match. But it was worth it.”
US Open: Osaka Edges Out Mertens
As expected, four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka made another fashion statement before her match against Belgium’s Elise Mertens: This time, she entered the arena wearing loose-fitting gray clothes. She then struggled greatly against her tenacious opponent but ultimately prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
Things are likely to get even tougher for the Japanese player in the round of 16—where she’ll face Australian Open champion Yelena Rybakina, who could take over the top spot in the world rankings after the tournament. Rybakina defeated Yulia Starodubtseva late in the evening 7-6 (8-6), 6-3.