Red-hot teenager Iva Jovic barreled into her first Grand Slam quarter-final yesterday to set up a blockbuster Australian Open clash with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
The 18-year-old American was undaunted gainst the vastly more experienced Yulia Putintseva, ripping her apart 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 minutes. It marked another giant step in the emergence of Jovic, who stunned two-time Grand Slam finalist and Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini in the previous round.
She now faces the daunting challenge of two-time champion Sabalenka, who swatted aside another teenager in Canadian Victoria Mboko 6-1, 7-6 (7/1).
"I feel great. I’m really glad to get through,” said 29th seed Jovic, on her second visit to Melbourne after making the second round last year. “Obviously the scoreline is favorable, but it doesn’t matter how you get it done. I just wanted to get it done, and I felt if I let her come back a little bit, it would become a dogfight.”
Jovic, who this time last year was ranked 191, claimed her maiden title in 2025 at Guadalajara aged just 17 and started the year in sizzling form, making the semi-finals in Auckland and the final at Hobart. Beating 31-year-old Putintseva gives her an 11-2 record so far this season, the most wins of any player.
Asked about facing Sabalenka next, she said: “She’s number one for a reason and had so much success at this tournament, but that’s what I want.
"I said it last year, I hope to be able to play her this year because you definitely want to play the best and see how it goes.”
Sabalenka was at her ruthless best against Mboko.
"What an incredible player for such a young age,” said Sabalenka of the 19-year-old Mboko.
"I feel like I am a kid still! She pushed me really hard and played incredible tennis.”
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
