American teenager Iva Jovic defeats two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini to reach the Australian Open last 16 for the first time.
TEENAGER Iva Jovic eliminated two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini from the Australian Open on Friday.
The 18-year-old American secured a 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) victory over the seventh-seeded Italian to reach the last 16 at a major for the first time.
Jovic will next face Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva for a place in the quarter-finals.
“It feels amazing,” said Jovic after recording her first win over a top-10 player.
“I’ve been wanting this one for a while now and working really hard for it.”
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Jovic, ranked 191st this time last year, claimed her maiden WTA title in Guadalajara in 2025 aged 17.
She entered the tournament in strong form after reaching the semi-finals in Auckland and the final in Hobart.
The 29th seed dominated the first set, sealing it with a powerful backhand winner.
She maintained control in the second set before faltering when serving for the match at 5-4.
Jovic broke again to lead 6-5 but was broken once more, forcing a tiebreak where she held her nerve.
“I just told myself to go out swinging,” she said of her tiebreak approach.
Her win follows Czech teenager Nikola Bartunkova’s upset over 10th seed Belinda Bencic on Thursday. – AFP
