Iva Jovic continued her rapid ascension at the Miami Open on Saturday, comfortably defeating former world number two Paula Badosa.
Jovic, still only 18 years old, broke Badosa’s serve six times on her way to a 6-2, 6-1 victory over the Spaniard; who will now fall out of the WTA top 100.
The American is one of many rising young stars on the WTA Tour: alongside the likes of Victoria Mboko, Eva Lys and Alex Eala.
Who has impressed you the most?
Speaking of Eala, Jovic has played doubles with the popular Filipina twice this season – at the ASB Classic and Indian Wells.
The pair are good friends, as Eala conveyed during Indian Wells.
Ahead of her third-round match in Miami, Jovic discussed how she felt playing in front of Eala’s raucous fans.
Iva Jovic on being ‘so excited’ to play in front of Alex Eala’s fans
Jovic, the world number 17, made no bones about her delight at playing in front of the Filipina’s fans.
Eala has one of the most dedicated fanbases on the planet, with her fans turning out in their numbers at various events – no matter where she is playing.
Speaking to the Tennis Channel on Saturday, Jovic discussed her feelings before playing doubles with Eala.
“I know, it’s amazing,” Jovic said.
I told her that I was like, ‘dude, I’m so excited for this doubles because I’m about to have like the most support I’ve ever had for a tennis match.’
“So I know they’re there for her. But I love the Filipino fans too, and I feel a little bit adopted when I play doubles with her. So love you guys too.”
Eala and Jovic first played doubles together at the 2026 ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.
The pair reached the semi-finals – beating Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina along the way – before losing to Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan.
Two months later, the pair teamed up again in California.
In Indian Wells, the pair lost in the first round to Jelena Ostapenko and Hailey Baptiste, 2-6, 2-6.
Alex Eala and Iva Jovic’s doubles record
- ASB Classic – beat Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-2
- ASB Classic – beat Jesika Malečková and Renata Zarazua by walkover
- ASB Classic – lost to Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan 5-7, 3-6
- Indian Wells – lost to Jelena Ostapenko and Hailey Baptiste 2-6, 2-6
Will Alex Eala and Iva Jovic play each other in Miami?
After beating Badosa on Saturday, Iva Jovic will play rising Australian star Talia Gibson in the Miami Open third round.
As for Eala, she defeated Magda Linette on Saturday, securing her place in the fourth round for a second consecutive year.
As things stand, Jovic and Eala are unlikely to play each other in Miami.
The American and Filipina are on opposite sides of the draw, meaning they could only play each other in the final.
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Iga Swiatek in Miami, Clara Tauson at the US Open, Jasmine Paolini in Dubai, or a different match?
Jovic has the harder path to the final, with the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina standing in her way.
Eala has a more promising opportunity. With Iga Swiatek being knocked out in the second round, the bottom half of the draw has now opened up.
Eala will play Karolina Muchova in the Miami Open fourth round. Muchova, the world number 14, won her first WTA 1000 title at the Qatar Open in February.
