Alex Eala, Iva Jovic share court with dads in US Open exhibition

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines embraces her father during the stars of the open at Fan Week as part of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2026 in New York City. Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images/AFP 

MANILA, Philippines —Alex Eala fell to close friend Iva Jovic, 6-3, in the Stars of the Open exhibition on Friday morning, but both enjoyed a lighthearted tuneup ahead of the US Open.

Towards the end of the match, the two rising stars brought their fathers onto the court for a brief mixed doubles match, ending the exhibition with a heartwarming moment and a hug with their dads.

A father-daughter moment to remember 💙

Alexandra Eala and Iva Jovic bring their dads on court for a little friendly competition. pic.twitter.com/JGfvPZM9rv

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2026

Eala and Jovic also exchanged messages in their native languages, addressing the crowd at a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows.

Eala fought back from a 0-2 deficit to tie the one-set match at 3-all, but Jovic won the final three games to finish the exhibition in less than an hour.

Iva Jovic of the United States embraces her father during the stars of the open at Fan Week as part of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2026 in New York City. Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Caleb Bowlin / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Jovic has now beaten Eala three times this year, including at the French Open and HSBC Championships.

Proceeds from Stars of the Open will go to the USTA Foundation.

Eala, seeded 17th in the US Open, will face a qualifier in the first round. Should she advance, she will meet the winner between Oleksandra Oliynykova and wild card Reese Brantmeier.

Eala could face No. 14 seed Jovic in the third round. The American opens against Magdalena Fręch, with the winner facing Magda Linette or another qualifier in the second round.