Alexandra Eala was two games from the biggest win of her career. Instead, Iva Jovic dug in, survived a three-hour war of attrition, and snatched the moment right out from under her.

The 18-year-old American outlasted the Philippines’ Eala, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, to reach the US Open fourth round, matching the best run of her young career at her home Grand Slam. It capped a rollercoaster night at Arthur Ashe Stadium that swung with nearly every game.

How Jovic Rallied From the Brink at Arthur Ashe

Eala looked firmly in control early in the decider. She broke Jovic to open the third set, held at love, and built a commanding 4-2 lead in front of a crowd firmly behind her.

That lead evaporated fast. Jovic clawed back the next game after two deuces, leveled the match with a pinpoint winner, then ripped a running forehand volley to grab a 5-4 edge of her own.

Jovic earned a match point soon after, but a backhand into the net let Eala off the hook. Eala responded by holding serve, only for Jovic to answer right back with an ace to move ahead, 6-5.

The finish came on Jovic’s second match point, when Eala’s forehand sailed into the net. The American teenager collapsed to the court in relief before Eala crossed over for a warm, extended hug at the net.

Stats, Sportsmanship, and a Coco Gauff Rematch Ahead

The numbers told the story of a genuine slugfest. Jovic finished with 44 winners against 27 unforced errors and won 12 of 15 net points, while Eala matched her blow for blow with 34 winners, 33 unforced errors, and 16-of-25 success at the net.

“It took losing my earrings, falling literally flat out on the floor, cuts on my knees, mental breakdowns,” Jovic said. “It took literally everything.”

Jovic, the World No. 14, admitted she needed to check the stat sheet just to believe what had happened. She also praised Eala’s grace in defeat, saying it “says a lot about her as a person” that Eala hugged her afterward and offered well wishes even behind closed doors in the locker room.

Jovic’s reward is a fourth-round meeting with 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff, who beat Cristina Bucsa in straight sets earlier in the day to reach the second week in New York for the fifth straight year. Gauff beat Jovic, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, in their only previous meeting, this year in Rome.

“This is what you want,” Gauff said of the rematch. “Week 2 in the Slams, you’re playing one of the best players in the world… I think if I replicate this level, I’m definitely going to have my chances in that one.”