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<\/p>\n18-year-old Iva Jovic became the first player through to the semi-finals of the HSBC Championships with a stunning win over second seed and 2025 runner-up Amanda Anisimova.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, lucky loser Donna Vekic also sealed her place in the final four after knocking out former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova in three sets.<\/p>\n
Jovic broke the Wimbledon finalist and world No.5 three times in the final set to come through 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and 19 minutes.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a second top-10 win for the American teenager, who also defeated Jasmine Paolini at the Australian Open earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means a lot to me,\u201d she said after the match. \u201cI love this tournament and every match here is a privilege so to be able to play another one tomorrow is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both players tussled for momentum throughout the opening two sets, and Jovic had to find her rhythm again after losing the second set.<\/p>\n
The young American dealt big damage off the forehand wing in the final set, winning three of Anisimova\u2019s service games to secure a place in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe\u2019ve never played each other before but practiced a couple of times,\u201d she added. \u201cShe\u2019s one of those players who can take the racket out of your hand so if you let her get some momentum she can keep rolling and hit a lot of winners. I just tried to reset as best I could and get ready for the third set.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just try to fight for every point. We train a lot and these are the matches you want to fight hard for and give yourself the best chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Three key stats<\/p>\n
Clinical in attack – while she played 8% fewer shots in attack, Jovic converted on 87% compared to Anisimova’s 72%
\nImpressive forehand – Jovic’s forehand was her standout stroke with an 8.6\/10 shot rating with a high average speed of 74mph
\nDominating shorter points – in the third set, she won 56% of rallies with 0-4 shots<\/p>\n
Jovic is quickly emerging as a serious force on the grass. A former junior Wimbledon singles semi-finalist and doubles champion, Jovic won her first grass court title last year at the Lexus Ilkley Open.<\/p>\n
Since then, she\u2019s gone from strength-to-strength and has already defeated Antonia Ruzic and last week\u2019s Birmingham champion Alexandra Eala this tournament.<\/p>\n