Eala booted out of French Open by buddy, doubles partner Jovic

ALEXANDRA “ALEX” EALA exited the French Open in straight sets in the first round, a blow somewhat softened by her friendship with the winner, American Iva Jovic.

Ms. Jovic prevailed 6-4, 6-2, then took to Instagram to write, “One of those days I wish there could be two winners. Love you Alex.”

Ms. Jovic, the WTA No. 17, advances to the second round against her compatriot Emma Navarro, ranked 25^th.

“No one I’d rather share the court with. Love you girl,” answered Ms. Eala, the WTA No. 37.

Ms. Eala and Ms. Jovic have been friends since their junior days before extending that connection to the pros.

They also joined forces in two doubles tournaments this season highlighted by a 7-6, (9-7), 6-1 stunner on then world No. 9 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine (now No. 7) and 21-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, 7-6 (9-7), 6-1, in the Round of 16 of the ASB Classic in Auckland en route to a Final Four finish.

Also running in the same circles are Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine (WTA No. 15), Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey (No. 66) and Eva Lys of Germany (No. 81).

Ms. Jovic and company presented Ms. Eala a cake on the occasion of her 21^st birthday on Saturday while they were all training and later followed with dinner around Paris.

Ms. Jovic, who prevailed in only 100 minutes of play, was diplomatic. “I think it was a tough one,” she said, also the No. 17 seed in the stacked 128-player draw.

“Alex is a great player. One of the, I think toughest first rounds, especially as a seed, that I could have gotten. But I hung tough when I needed to, and was happy to get it done in straight sets.”

Ms. Eala shifts her focus to the doubles with world No. 9 Victoria Mboko of Canada for their first partnership against Leylah Fernandez and Diana Shnaider of Russia in Round 1. — John Bryan Ulanday