NEW YORK — Iva Jovic needed more than three hours to end Alex Eala's run at the U.S. Open, and Coco Gauff is up next, with a spot in the quarterfinals at stake.

Jovic defeated Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 on Saturday night inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, in a three-hour, three-set, back-and-forth showcase of two of tennis' emerging young stars.

"That felt like a marathon, and I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match," Jovic said. "But it's really worth it for this feeling. I'm usually not one that shows that many emotions, but this one really meant a lot to me. It's everything to have another match here at the U.S. Open."

The 18-year-old American acknowledged that the crowd was not always on her side against Eala, a fan favorite from the Philippines whose fervent following has become one of the biggest storylines in the sport. Eala, a 20-year-old from Manila who won the girls' singles title at Wimbledon in 2022, had been staging the deepest Grand Slam run of her career, drawing vocal support from Filipino fans both in the stands and following from home. Jovic nonetheless rallied from 4-2 down in the third set and received a hearty ovation after finishing off the match and falling to the court.

The victory continues a pattern of deep Grand Slam runs for Jovic, who reached the fourth round at both Wimbledon and the French Open and made the quarterfinals at the Australian Open this year. Her previous campaigns ended with losses to Jessica Pegula in London, Naomi Osaka in Paris and Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne — all established major champions or top-ranked players, underscoring how far she has already pushed into the sport's upper tier in her teenage years.

Jovic and Gauff are now among the five U.S. women still in the tournament, along with Pegula, Taylor Townsend and Emma Navarro.

"Obviously, there's a lot of pressure here as an American trying to do well," Gauff said after beating Cristina Bucsa earlier Saturday. "Everybody wants to win this tournament, but I think for Americans it's even more special."

Gauff, 22, is four victories away from her second U.S. Open title, three years after winning her first. Also the French Open champion last year, she is in her prime at a time when more rivals around her age, such as Jovic and Eala, are coming to the forefront.

"It just feels good socially having people I can text if you want to hang out, go to dinner, do something and it not feel awkward," said Gauff, who felt lonely in her early years on tour when she was the youngest player around. "I feel much happier now, I think, at this phase on tour just having people around my age being successful. We can all share the ups and downs together."

With Gauff facing Jovic on Monday, at least one American is guaranteed a place among the final eight players. It will be the first career meeting between the two on tour, pitting the 2023 U.S. Open champion against one of the youngest players left in the draw. Jovic hopes she can bring her best with the spotlight shining even brighter.

"I'm going to be more than happy to just bring this fight and this energy, and whatever happens, then I can leave with my head high," Jovic said. "She's playing some unbelievable tennis and a really great person, so it's going to be an amazing match."