Monica Seles, the nine-time Grand Slam champion, has voiced her support for changing the format of women’s matches at Grand Slam tournaments to best-of-five sets, inspired by the recent thrilling encounter between Alex Eala and Iva Jovic at the 2026 US Open.
The third-round match, held on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, extended over three intense hours and saw Jovic emerge victorious with a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 scoreline, advancing to the quarterfinals. Observing this battle, Seles expressed her wish that the women’s matches would follow a best-of-five sets format, highlighting the competitive spirit and endurance displayed.
Epic Showdown Between Eala and Jovic Spurs Call for Format Change
The 21-year-old Filipino player, Alex Eala, initially took control in the final set by securing a 2-0 lead after splitting the first two sets with 18-year-old American Iva Jovic, who is seeded 14th in the tournament. However, Jovic staged an impressive comeback, rallying to win the deciding set 7-5.
Throughout the match, Jovic delivered a commanding performance, hitting 44 winners and demonstrating remarkable resilience. The match concluded when Eala, under pressure, unforced a forehand into the net on Jovic’s second match point.
Reflecting on the physical and mental toll of the contest, Jovic revealed the challenges she faced: “It took losing my earrings, falling literally flat out on the floor, cuts on my knees, mental breakdowns,” underscoring the intensity of their battle.