{"id":386992,"date":"2026-01-23T23:46:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T23:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/386992\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T23:46:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T23:46:11","slug":"american-teen-tennis-sensation-iva-jovic-18-knocks-out-top-seed-to-seal-biggest-win-of-her-career-at-australian-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/386992\/","title":{"rendered":"American teen tennis sensation Iva Jovic, 18, knocks out top seed to seal biggest win of her career at Australian Open"},"content":{"rendered":"

By BEN NAGLE, US SPORTS EDITOR<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 11:12 EST, 23 January 2026 | Updated: 11:16 EST, 23 January 2026 <\/p>\n

American 18-year-old Iva Jovic pulled off the biggest upset of her young career when she stunned Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini at the Australian Open<\/a> on Friday.<\/p>\n

The 6-2, 7-6(3) win sealed a first ever Grand Slam last-16 appearance for the young tennis player, who is one of the biggest up-and-coming sports stars in the US.<\/p>\n

The 29th seed turned the tables on Paolini, who had beaten her last year at Indian Wells and the US Open, to claim her maiden victory over a top-10 player and extend her tour-leading win streak to 10 matches in 2026.<\/p>\n

‘It feels amazing, I’ve been working really hard for it. I’ve been wanting this one for a while now,’ she said.<\/p>\n

‘I had a couple of tough losses. I’m just so happy to get through that barrier and get the win today.’<\/p>\n

Jovic had the opportunity to serve for the match before Paolini fought back to force a tiebreak, where the American showed her nerve and won the last five points to book a fourth-round clash with Yulia Putintseva.<\/p>\n

\"Iva <\/p>\n

Iva Jovic, 18, is celebrating the biggest win of her career so far at the Australian Open<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The American teen tennis sensation beat Jasmine Paolini to reach the last 16 in Melbourne<\/p>\n

‘I tried to focus on what I was doing earlier in the match, being really aggressive and controlling the play,’ Jovic added.<\/p>\n

‘I think when I served for the match, I got a little too passive. So I told myself to go out swinging and it helped in the tiebreak.’<\/p>\n

It capped a memorable day for North American teenagers after Canadian 19-year-old Victoria Mboko also advanced with a 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-3 victory over Clara Tauson.<\/p>\n

Paolini, the world No 8, took a medical timeout in the opening set and afterwards revealed she had been hampered by a stomach problem.<\/p>\n

\"Paolini <\/p>\n

Paolini bemoaned stomach problems when she spoke about the reasons for her loss to Jovic<\/p>\n

\"Until <\/p>\n

Until this point, Jovic – pictured during her Christmas break – had not beaten a top 10 seed<\/p>\n

\"Jovic <\/p>\n

Jovic shakes hands with Paolini at the net at the end of their Australian Open battle on Friday<\/p>\n

‘I think I lay down on the sofa after lunch and that wasn’t a good idea for my stomach. I stepped on court and I couldn’t move at my best.’<\/p>\n

But Paolini was full of praise for her young opponent.<\/p>\n

‘She’s very tough opponent already – very mature on court, not many mistakes,’ she said.<\/p>\n

‘She’s playing good every shot, basically. So I think she has a really bright future ahead.’<\/p>\n

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