Alex Eala defeated at first hurdle by Iva Jovic

Alexandra Eala's 2026 French Open singles run is over after just an hour and 40 minutes on the famed clay tennis courts at Roland-Garros in Paris, losing 4-6, 2-6 to Iva Jovic.

The world no.37 struggled to get into her first-round clash, quickly finding herself trailing 1-5 in the first set to her teenage U.S. opponent.

Eala actually had two break points in the opening game to disrupt the 17th-seeded Jovic. But she did not capitalise on either, then quickly found herself on the back foot.

Eighteen-year-old Jovic, two and a half years younger than Eala, broke the Filipina in games four and six. While Eala cancelled those out by breaking Jovic's serve back twice to close the gap to 4-5, a third break for the Californian settled the opener.

It was Eala who broke first in the second, taking the opening game. But the break was wiped out immediately with Jovic taking the next game, and from there on Jovic rattled off the last four games to ease to victory.

While Eala's singles challenge has ended, she still has the women's doubles to come. The Filipina is due to partner Canadian Vicky Mboko in that tournament, with a first-round matchup against Leylah Fernandez and Diana Shnaider.

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