Iva Jovic continued her impressive rise with a dominant second-round performance at the Australian Open, defeating Australia’s Priscilla Hon in straight sets on Rod Laver Arena.
The 18-year-old American, of Serbian origin, delivered a composed and authoritative display, showing no signs of nerves despite the late-night setting and the presence of a home crowd supporting her opponent.
Momentum built well before Melbourne
Jovic arrived at the Australian Open in excellent form after a strong run through the Australian summer. Earlier this year, she reached the semifinals in Auckland before being stopped by Elina Svitolina, and followed that with a finals appearance in Hobart, where she finished runner-up to Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Those results translated seamlessly into Melbourne, where Jovic eased through the opening round before stepping onto Rod Laver Arena for her second-round challenge.
A composed performance on the biggest stage
With rain forcing the roof to be closed, conditions remained consistent throughout the match — and Jovic made full use of them. From the opening games, she dictated play with depth and clean ball-striking, taking time away from Hon and preventing the Australian from settling into rallies.
Jovic’s court positioning and shot selection allowed her to control points early, turning defense into offense with ease.
No room for resistance
Hon, ten years Jovic’s senior, struggled to find solutions against the younger player’s pace and consistency. Jovic applied steady pressure on return and converted her opportunities efficiently, racing to a 6–2, 6–1 victory without allowing the match to drift into uncertainty.
The scoreline reflected the balance of play, as Hon was given little opportunity to challenge or shift momentum.
A glimpse of long-term potential
At just 18, Jovic’s blend of confidence, composure and technical balance continues to stand out. If her development follows its current trajectory, she possesses the tools required to compete at the highest level of the women’s game.
Performances like this suggest that her ambitions may soon extend well beyond early-round success in Melbourne.
By Hameltion – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=151844126
By Hameltion – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=136456795
This match took place during an intense Australian Open Day 4, as second-round action continued to raise expectations in Melbourne.