New York, Sept. 6 -- After more than three hours of pushing each other around the court, Iva Jovic outlasted Alexandra Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to book a spot in the US Open fourth round, the farthest she's ever gone at her home Slam.
After splitting the first two sets, Eala broke in the first game of the third and consolidated to take the early 2-0 lead. Jovic broke back two games later, and from there it was a battle of superb shot-making, stellar defense, ferocious ball-striking and extended rallies, the momentum shifting back in forth in front of an enthusiastic Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd that was clearly pro-Eala for the majority of the match, but seemingly behind both players equally by the end of it.
After a Jovic double fault gave the br...