Camille Naredo

Philippines's Alexandra Eala plays a forehand return to US Iva Jovic during their women's singles match on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2026.

Philippines's Alexandra Eala plays a forehand return to US Iva Jovic during their women's singles match on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2026. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP)

Article (news)

French Open

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779793185965AFP__20260526__B4269WJ__v1__MidRes__TennisFraOpen2026.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Philippines&#x27;s Alexandra Eala plays a forehand return to US Iva Jovic during their women&#x27;s singles match on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2026. Alain Jocard, AFP" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Philippines&#x27;s Alexandra Eala plays a forehand return to US Iva Jovic during their women&#x27;s singles match on day 3 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2026. <em>Alain Jocard, AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- Filipina tennis star Alex Eala bowed out of the French Open on Tuesday after a 4-6, 2-6 defeat to American Iva Jovic.</p><p>Eala briefly seized momentum in the first set but could not sustain it, and Jovic -- the 17th seed -- wrapped up the win in an hour and 14 minutes.</p><p>The match got off to a blockbuster start, with Eala and Jovic dueling for nearly ten minutes in the opening game before the American held for a 1-0 advantage.</p><p>From there, Jovic took control, reeling off forehand winners that Eala could not handle. Jovic surged to a 5-1 lead and appeared headed for a quick win in the opener.</p><p>The American could not immediately close out Eala, however. Three double faults by Jovic helped shift the momentum in Eala&#x27;s favor, who reeled off three straight games to make it a close 4-5 affair.</p><p>But Jovic regrouped, breaking the Filipina to love to take the frame, 6-4. </p><p>Eala broke first in the second set for a 1-0 lead, but Jovic responded with a break of her own to level the match, then held for a 2-1 advantage.</p><p>From there, the American stayed in control and marched to the second round, where she will play Emma Navarro. -- <strong>with a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L7vgi_qRdPw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div>

<p>Filipina tennis star Alex Eala bowed out of the French Open on Tuesday after a 4-6, 2-6 defeat to American Iva Jovic.</p>

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala bowed out of the French Open on Tuesday after a 4-6, 2-6 defeat to American Iva Jovic.

Tennis: Alex Eala exits French Open with loss to Iva Jovic

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Tennis: Alex Eala exits French Open with loss to Iva Jovic

Agence France-Presse

Published May 26, 2026 06:57 PM PHT

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Updated May 26, 2026 07:22 PM PHT

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tennis

French Open

Roland Garros

Alex Eala

Iva Jovic

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