"Get your popcorn ready" - Former American tennis stars snub US Open heavyweights for highly anticipated Jovic-Eala showdown

There is currently a lot of hype that is being created around the tantalising third round tie between Iva Jovic and Alexandra Eala at the US Open. Former American tennis players Andy Roddick and John Isner are among the names hyping this tie up between two top talents who could be in for a brilliant rivalry in the future.

With the likes of Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Mirra Andreeva and Naomi Osaka all featuring on day seven of the US Open, it seems that these stunning players have been overlooked with a lot of the focus going the way of the young starts who are touted by many to dominate the sport in the future.

To an extent, they are doing that now. Jovic has cemented her spot in the top 20 following a brilliant quarter-final run at the Australian Open and has stuck around there with consistent displays and eye-catching runs in some big tournaments seeing her reach a career high of World No.14. At the age of 18, it does not look like she is going anywhere.

The same could be said for Eala who continues to secure some huge breakthrough results. Her title run at the DC Open was one of the moments of 2026. Defeating the likes of Elina Svitolina, Osaka and the number one seed Jessica Pegula, the Filipina is on a very promising trajectory right to the very top of the sport.

Eala is looking to secure back-to-back last-16 runs at Grand Slam level, but to do that she will need to do something that she has never done before: defeat her very good friend. Twice they have faced off, and twice Jovic has prevailed in straight sets win at Roland Garros and Queen's.

Jovic and Eala kick off the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium with the organisers recognising how huge this match could be. Despite their predicted trajectory taking them to stardom, they are top players in this current WTA Tour and one of them will make it into another second week at a Grand Slam.

Former US Open champion Roddick previewed the second day of third round action in New York, snubbing the top names as he directly went to the blockbuster Jovic-Eala showdown.

He said on Served: “The third round that I have had circled on the women’s side. Get your popcorn ready. Two future and current stars: Eala and Jovic. I hope they put this on Ashe. It might be an away game for Jovic even in America with Eala Mania.”

The same view was portrayed by Isner on the Nothing Major podcast, touching on the demand that the match could bring. “Jovic-Eala for me… that reeks of Arthur Ashe Stadium. She played after [Gael] Monfils the other night. It was a full house; it doesn’t matter where she plays," he commented.

“Ticket prices have surged over 134% for her matches. It’s kind of crazy. She certainly does [move the needle]. Manny Pacquiao was a great boxer from the Philippines; how huge he was. She’s not there yet to that level but man, that matchup is awesome. Jovic-Eala, that’s a blockbuster.”

The winner of the contest will take on either Crsitina Bucsa of the number four seed Gauff. If it is the American to prevail in the other third round contest, then it will be another cracking matchup that will secure the attention of numerous tennis fans.