Teenage sensation Iva Jovic is on the prowl at the 2026 Australian Open. The 18-year-old American has dispatched both her opponents in the first two rounds with sheer dominance and without dropping any sets. Her most recent victim was Australia’s Priscilla Hon, whom she defeated 6-1, 6-2 in an hour and 11 minutes at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, January 21.
Jovic controlled that match from start to finish with a staggering first-serve percentage (71%) and an equally impressive first-serve win percentage (76%). Jovic hit 17 winners, broke Hon’s serve five times in seven attempts with a 71% success rate, and won a total of 60 points in a one-sided affair.
Jovic has put the tennis world on notice with her searing performances in the Australian swing, having reached the semifinals of the ASB Classic, where she went down to eventual champion Elina Svitolina, and the Hobart International final, which she lost to Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Former Australian Open finalist and compatriot Danielle Collins has joined the players, analysts, and fans who have been mesmerized by the teenager’s fiery game. Sharing a point play from Jovic’s match against Hon on her Instagram story, Collins wrote:
“What @iva_jovic07 is doing rn is something 🔥🇺🇸.”
Iva Jovic Hopes to Have More Chats With Her Idol, Novak Djokovic
After her victory against Hon, Jovic was compared to tennis legend Monica Seles by the presenter during her on-court interview. The American then named some players who have had a positive influence on her.
“Yeah, I definitely had a bit of a Monica Seles in there. She has a similar background as well, so I would always look up to her. Novak Djokovic was a big one for me, so it’s pretty cool to be playing a tournament that he’s playing in as well. So hopefully I get more chances to speak with him, I know he’s playing tomorrow, but yeah, that would be pretty cool,” Jovic said.
The teenage star is set to face her sternest test yet, as she prepares to take on World No. 8 Jasmine Paolini in the third round at the John Cain Arena on Friday.
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