A major surprise unfolded on John Cain Arena as Iva Jovic, the young American player of Serbian heritage, produced the biggest win of her career by defeating top-10 seed Jasmine Paolini in straight sets at the Australian Open.
Playing with confidence well beyond her years, Jovic showed no hesitation against one of the tournament favorites, imposing her own rhythm and tactical clarity from the opening games.
Fearless start sets the tone
Jovic signaled her intentions immediately, racing to a 3–0 lead in the opening set with two early breaks of serve. Paolini briefly responded by breaking back, but the momentum remained firmly with the teenager, who answered instantly with another break before serving out the set 6–2.
From the first set onward, it was clear that Jovic was not overawed by reputation or ranking, choosing instead to trust her game and play with freedom.
Mental strength decides the second set
The second set followed a different pattern. Jovic again struck first with an early break, only for the set to develop into a series of momentum swings, with both players exchanging three breaks each.
That volatility set the stage for a decisive tie-break, where Jovic’s composure stood out. Maintaining aggression while minimizing errors, she dominated the breaker 7–3 to seal a remarkable victory.
Djokovic’s advice pays off
Paolini, who had recorded two wins earlier in the tournament, saw her Australian Open campaign come to an abrupt end. For Jovic, however, the night marked a defining moment.
After the match, Jovic revealed that she had drawn inspiration from advice given by Novak Djokovic, emphasizing belief, clarity and commitment during key moments — guidance that clearly translated into her performance on court.
The result not only sends shockwaves through the draw but also positions Jovic as one of the most exciting emerging names to watch as the tournament progresses.
The victory marked a defining milestone for Jovic, underlining her rapid rise and signaling that new names are ready to challenge the established order in Melbourne, as theAustralian Open moves into Day 6.
By Hameltion – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=151844125
By Nuță Lucian from Cluj-Napoca, Romania – Transylvania Open 2022 WTA 250, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=148936311