Iva Jovic, Emma Navarro to collide again at Roland Garros days after Strasbourg clash

PARIS—It’s never easy playing someone you’re close with, at a Grand Slam event no less. But that’s what was required of Iva Jovic in her Roland Garros opener Tuesday.

Before walking out to Court 14, the 18-year-old and 20-year-old Alexandra Eala shared an embrace. After the No. 17 seed pulled away for a 6-4, 6-2 victory, capitalizing on six of her nine break point chances, the two naturally hugged it out again at the net.

“There’s so much respect there with me and Alex, as players, as a person,” Jovic shared with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj and Jon Wertheim. “She’s a baller. She’s also just one of the nicest people. I’m here for her, she’s here for me.”

As Jovic expanded, she’s found that maintaining connections outside of the locker room is mental health benefit for navigating the rigors of a professional tennis career.

“You need those friendships and those people on the tour. Otherwise it’s a little too hard to be doing all of this,” she said. “It’s a bummer we had to play each other in the first round, but it happens. Draws are like that. I know we’ll play each other many more times.”

Having reached the second round on her debut 12 months ago, Jovic will have her hands full in her quest to improve upon that result. Awaiting the Torrance, Calif. native is one of the draw’s most in-form players, Emma Navarro.

Unseeded after taking time to address health challenges during an ongoing “rocky” period, Navarro came into the clay-court major on the back of winning the WTA 500 event in Strasbourg. During that run, the former world No. 8 defeated Jovic in three sets.

“This is a really tough one. As a seed, for a second round, Emma was Top 10 six months ago. Obviously she’s back playing at that level,” commented Jovic.

“I know personally how well she’s playing right now. It wasn’t a bad match from my end, but a little too good from her. I need to make a couple adjustments. I’m ready for a battle—two, three, four hours, however long it takes.”

Navarro kept the training rolling in dismissing Janice Tjen, 6-4, 6-3, also benefiting from a first-on start with temperatures crossing the 90-degree mark by the afternoon.

“It feels good to get a two-set win. Feels even better to be on the Tennis Channel desk!” smiled Navarro. “I had fun out there today.”

I’m ready for a battle—two, three, four hours, however long it takes. Iva Jovic on facing Emma Navarro

Before returning in Rome earlier this month, the 25-year-old had last appeared in an opening defeat to Lulu Sun at the WTA 125 tournament (Challenger equivalent) in Austin, Texas on March 11. With her strong run of form that included topping Victoria Mboko in the Strasbourg final, Navarro has now pulled her season record back up to the .500 mark.

“I spent a couple months at home away from the tour. Came back not expecting anything really results wise,” the current No. 25 expressed to Amritraj and Wertheim.

“Just wanted to work hard and get some good matches under my belt. Work through any physical and mental challenges out in the match arena that I could. Ended up taking a title, which was definitely a little surprising. I feel good about where I’m at. I have a ton of gratitude to be back on tour.”

The winner of the all-American showdown could meet Naomi Osaka in the third round, should the four-time major winner advance past Donna Vekic.