Iva Jovic hasn’t dropped a single set at this year’s Australian Open.
The 18-year-old beat Katie Volynets 6-2, 6-3, and Priscilla Hon 6-1, 6-2, to set up a third-round tie with two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini.
Picking up the first top-10 win of her career, Jovic defeated Paolini in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6.
What has been the biggest upset at the Australian Open so far?
She’ll now prepare to take on Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva in the fourth round.
Jovic burst onto the scene last year, making some of the biggest names in tennis take note.
Perhaps the biggest name of them all, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, is already a fan of the young American.
So much so that he gave her some advice before her win over Paolini.
Novak Djokovic told Iva Jovic to ‘open up the court’ better before her third-round match
During her latest post-match press conference, Jovic shared what Djokovic told her earlier this week.
“I spoke to Novak [Djokovic] yesterday a little bit. So it was pretty incredible,” she said.
“He gave me some very attentive tips for my game, and something I can try to incorporate into this match that I just played.
“So that was one of the things at the forefront of my mind, because I think when Novak gives you some advice, you follow it!
“It was just to open up the court a little bit better, to not rush into the shots all the time, find some more width.
“So I tried to do that, and it ended well. So I’m just going to try to keep listening to Novak.”
Iva Jovic vs Jasmine Paolini – Match stats
| Player | Aces | Double faults | 1st Serve % | Win % on 1st Serve | Win % on 2nd Serve | Break points |
| Iva Jovic | 3 | 2 | 56% | 58% | 63% | 6/12 |
| Jasmine Paolini | 0 | 0 | 63% | 49% | 42% | 4/6 |
She was then asked how surreal it is for her to receive advice from one of the greatest players of all time.
“Yeah, it’s pretty insane,” said Jovic.
“You always think about those moments where you’re going to meet your idols a little bit, and I think sometimes for certain people it can be a little bit deflating if they are maybe not as nice or as open as you anticipated.
“I think that happens a lot of times where you kind of see, oh, wow, that’s definitely not how it looks on TV.
“I think he’s almost even kinder and even more attentive outside the cameras than he’s portrayed.
“It was amazing. I mean, he’s so intelligent and smart and really wants to help the younger generation.
“So I’m really grateful to have that advice.
Who has been the best player at the Australian Open so far?
“Hopefully I’ll speak with him more and listen to his advice!”
She’d be wise to book in another chat with Djokovic before her fourth-round match on Sunday, January 25.
How many American women are still in the Australian Open?
Jovic is one of six American women who remain in the competition.
4R
- Iva Jovic vs Yulia Putintseva
- Coco Gauff vs Karolina Muchova
3R
- Jessica Pegula vs Oksana Selekhmeteva
- Madison Keys vs Karolina Pliskova
- Amanda Anisimova vs Peyton Stearns
Coco Gauff has already joined her in the fourth round, while the other four have yet to play their third-round matches.
Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Amanda Anisimova are expected to advance when they play on Saturday, January 24.
If they were to all make their way through, there would be a strong chance an American player would win the Australian Open.
No nation has produced more women’s singles champions at the Australian Open since 2000.
Australian Open champions since 2000
| Rank | Country | Australian Open women’s singles titles | Champions |
| 1 | USA | 12 | Serena Williams (7), Jennifer Capriati (2), Lindsay Davenport (1), Sofia Kenin (1), Madison Keys (1) |
| 2 | Belarus | 4 | Victoria Azarenka (2), Aryna Sabalenka (2) |
| T-3 | Japan | 2 | Naomi Osaka (2) |
| T-3 | Belgium | 2 | Justine Henin (1), Kim Clijsters (1) |
| T-5 | France | 1 | Amelie Mauresmo (1) |
| T-5 | Russia | 1 | Maria Sharapova (1) |
| T-5 | China | 1 | Li Na (1) |
| T-5 | Germany | 1 | Angelique Kerber (1) |
| T-5 | Denmark | 1 | Caroline Wozniacki (1) |
| T-5 | Australia | 1 | Ash Barty (1) |
Only time will tell who will win the Australian Open in 2026, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
Perhaps Jovic will go all the way and win her first major title…
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