Alexandra Eala of Philippines returns to Iva Jovic of the U.S. during their first round men’s singles tennis match on the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala suffered a first-round exit within 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 within the second set–in a match that lasted one hour and 40 minutes.
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Jovic responded with back-to-back games before Eala held to like to level at 2-2.
That proved to be Eala’s final stand, because the American teen, currently No. 17 on the planet, won 4 straight games to shut 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 on the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
It was the primary singles meeting between Eala and Jovic, who’re also close friends and sometime doubles partners. The 2 embraced at the online after the match.
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Eala bowed out early in her second straight Roland Garros main-draw appearance, but she is about to compete within the doubles tournament with partner and fellow rising star Victoria Mboko.
The Filipino tennis star, ranked No. 37 within the WTA, put up a robust fight within the opening set, rallying from a 5-1 deficit.
She broke twice to tug inside 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.