---
title: "Alexandra Eala opens against world No. 18 Iva Jovic at Roland Garros, Paris; toughest draw in the tournament ahead"
sdDatePublished: "2026-05-23T13:39:00Z"
source: "https://www.olympics.com/en/news/french-open-2026-alexandra-eala-draw-how-to-watch-live"
topics:
  - name: "tennis"
    identifier: "medtop:20001085"
  - name: "sport event"
    identifier: "medtop:20001108"
  - name: "sport"
    identifier: "medtop:15000000"
locations:
  - "Australia"
  - "Île-de-France"
  - "Colombia"
  - "Philippines"
  - "Canada"
  - "United States"
  - "Italy"
---


Alexandra Eala opens against world No. 18 Iva Jovic at Roland Garros, Paris; toughest draw in the tournament ahead

French Open 2026: Alexandra Eala faces tough draw – how to watch the Filipina star live

French Open 2026: Alexandra Eala faces tough draw – how to watch the Filipina star live

Turning 21 the day before Roland Garros should be a gift for Alexandra Eala. Instead, the draw handed the Filipina rising star one of the toughest paths in the tournament.

Alexandra Ealaarrives atRoland-Garros 2026facing a draw that offers little to no margin for error.

The 20-year-old Filipina, who became the firsttennisplayer from the Philippines tocrack the WTA Top 50 earlier this year, opens her campaign against world No. 18Iva Jovic.

The American 18-year-old reached the quarter-final in Rome, the semi-final in Charleston, and the pair have shared the doubles court twice this year, including a semi-final run in Auckland. This will be their first singles meeting.

It is a difficult place to start for 38-ranked Eala, who is making only her second main draw appearance in Paris. Last year,she fell to Colombia’sEmiliana Arangoin the first round of her French Open debut.

The challenge only grows from there.

Emma Navarrois the projected second-round opponent, withNaomi Osakaand top seedAryna Sabalenkalikely waiting deeper in the draw.

Eala has produced flashes this clay season, including a third-round run in Rome, with wins overMagdalena FrechandXinyu Wang, and a victory against former Roland Garros finalistAnastasia Pavlyuchenkovain Madrid.

But consistency has been elusive. She suffered early exits in Stuttgart and Linz, including afrustrating loss to Oleksandra Oliynykova just this weekin Strasbourg.

Even so, Eala returns to Paris carrying far more experience and confidence than she did a year ago.

The Filipina will also compete in doubles alongside Canadian teenagerVictoria Mboko.

Here is how you can follow Alex Eala at Roland-Garros.

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Inspired by Rafael Nadal, Alexandra Eala wants to conquer the clay: “Anything I can take from Rafa, I'll take with pride”

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Women's Singles, First Round | Tennis | Olympic Games Paris 2024

Highlights from the Women's SIngles First Round Tennis Tournament that started on 27

2024 at the Roland-Garros Stadium.

Roland-Garros 2026 – women's singles schedule

27, 29 May: Second round and third round

6 June: Women’s singles final

Roland-Garros 2026 – how to watch Eala live

The French Open begins on 24 May, leading to the women's singles final on 6 June.

France Télévisions and Prime Video share the broadcast rights for Roland-Garros in France, while fans in the U.S. can watch on TNT Sports, truTV and HBO Max.

Eurosport holds the rights across Europe, while Australians can tune in on Stan Sports and Nine.

Find the full list of broadcasters for Roland-Garros 2026here.

Picture by 2026 Getty Images

18 May - 7 June

Tennis | Roland-Garros | Paris| France