Iva Jovic, an 18-year-old tennis sensation, achieved a remarkable milestone at the Australian Open by defeating Jasmine Paolini, the tournament’s No. 7 seed. This match, held during the third round, ended with scores of 6-2, 7-6(3), marking Jovic’s first victory against a Top 10 player.
Key Match Highlights
- Age and Ranking: Jovic is the youngest player in the Top 100 and was seeded 29th.
- Match Result: Jovic won 6-2, 7-6(3).
- Opponent: The match was a significant upset against No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini.
- Previous Meetings: Jovic had lost all three previous encounters with Paolini.
Match Insights
The first set showcased Jovic’s dominance, taking just 37 minutes to secure it. Paolini struggled, committing 13 unforced errors compared to Jovic’s four winners. In the second set, Paolini adjusted her play, leading to intense rallies but Jovic maintained her composure.
Jovic faced pressure when she served for the match twice, at 5-4 and 6-5, yet she was unable to close it out. However, in the tiebreak, her aggressive strategy paid off, leading to a decisive victory.
Post-Match Reflections
In her on-court interview, Jovic expressed her relief and excitement. “I’ve been wanting this one for a while now,” she stated. She credited her aggressive play for overcoming the challenges in the second set.
Future Prospects
This victory marks Jovic’s entry into the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time and continues her impressive rise in the rankings. From a starting rank of No. 191 last year, she has been steadily climbing after winning her inaugural WTA title in Guadalajara last September.
Jovic’s current record for the year stands at 10 wins and 2 losses, and she is set to face Yulia Putintseva in the fourth round, promising an exciting continuation of her Australian Open campaign.
