US teenager Iva Jovic launched her 2026 French Open campaign with Tuesday's straight-sets win over Alexandra Eala.
The 17th seed defeated her close friend and occasional doubles partner 6-4, 6-2, as the 18-year-old locked in an immediate rematch with fellow US star Emma Navarro at Roland Garros.
Iva Jovic Defeats Alexandra Eala in 'Tough' First Round
Jovic established control early in the match with aggressive baseline play, firing 34 winners compared to just 15 from Eala.
Jovic built a quick 5-1 lead in the opening set, but Eala fought back. The Filipina star capitalized on three double faults to break twice and close the gap to 5-4, before Jovic eventually secured the first set.
In the second set, both players traded early breaks before Jovic took charge. She claimed the final four games of the match to wrap up the win in an hour and 40 minutes.
"Alex is a great player," Jovic said postmatch. "One of the, I think, toughest first rounds, especially as a seed, that I could have gotten. But I hung tough when I needed to, and happy to get it done in straights."
Jovic now moves to a 6-1 lifetime record in Grand Slam openers.
2026 French Open Sets All-U.S. Jovic vs Navarro Clash
This latest victory sets up a highly anticipated second-round showdown between Jovic and countrywoman Navarro. Just last week, Navarro defeated Jovic in a tight three-set match in route to winning the WTA 500 title in Strasbourg.
Navarro advanced to the second round of the French Open earlier on Tuesday by defeating Janice Tjen in straight sets.
