Aryna Sabalenka may have cruised into the Australian Open semifinals, but the world number one made it clear she was deeply impressed by the fearless rise of teenage sensation Iva Jovic. The Belarusian superstar continued her dominant run in Melbourne with a commanding 6-3, 6-0 QF win over 18-year-old American Iva Jovic, booking her sixth straight major SF and extending her red-hot 2026 record to 10-0. Despite the lopsided scoreline, Sabalenka was quick to praise her young opponent.

After defeating the 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko in the fourth round, Sabalenka admitted, “She’s incredible, for sure.” And now, after her recent win over Jovic, Sabalenka once again heaped praise on her young opponent. “These teenagers are testing me in the last couple of rounds. Incredible player. It was a tough match. Don't look at the score. It wasn't easy at all.”

Aryna Sabalenka’s power and precision proved too much in the searing Melbourne heat, as temperatures climbed toward 40 degrees Celsius with the roof left open on Rod Laver Arena. Once she found her rhythm, the top seed looked untouchable, blasting 31 winners against just 17 unforced errors. She won an outstanding 83% of first-serve points, dominated at the net with an 88% success rate, and became just the third top seed in the past decade, after Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty, to reach the AO SF without dropping a set.

“The second set, I felt like I had to step in and put even more pressure on her. Because I can see that she's young, she's hungry, and I could tell during the match that no matter the score, she's still going to be there trying,” Sabalenka added.

While Aryna Sabalenka showcased why she remains the player to beat, reaching her fourth consecutive AO SF and 14th Grand Slam SF of her career, the spotlight also shone brightly on Jovic’s remarkable breakthrough. What did the American say after her match, though?

Iva Jovic shares a very interesting take on Aryna Sabalenka

Iva Jovic’s dream run at the 2026 may have ended in the QF, but she has left Melbourne Park with her reputation soaring. After failing to Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets, Jovic took a moment to acknowledge not just her opponent’s dominance but the powerful story behind it. Speaking after her loss, Jovic shared a deeply personal and mature perspective on Sabalenka’s career and character.

“I think it’s amazing what she’s done for herself in her career. It’s very inspiring. I think the way she’s been able to use all the negative things... I know her story quite well. All the negative things that have happened to her on court and in her personal life as well, and turning them into motivation and fuel to be better, is amazing,” Jovic’s thoughts on Aryna Sabalenka.

For a teenager at the very beginning of her professional journey, it was a remarkably thoughtful reflection on what it takes to reach the top of the sport. The American’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Once ranked outside the top 600 at the start of 2024, Iva Jovic steadily climbed the rankings through hard work and breakthrough results. She made her Grand Slam debut at the 2024 US Open, cracked the Top 100 last year, and surged into the Top 30 following her impressive run in Australia. Currently ranked 27th in the world, Jovic also earned her maiden Top-10 win by defeating Jasmine Paolini in the third round of the 2026 AO.

Other than earning praise from Aryna Sabalenka, Jovic has also managed to draw the attention of the 24-time Grand Slam champion. In a previous interview, Novak Djokovic showered praise on the American, saying, “I got to know Iva last year for the first time. She’s so young; she’s only 18 and is already making great strides in the rankings. She’s had some great results and is in the last 16 [here].”

He further added, “I really like her, she’s a great girl and has a really nice family, and, obviously, I feel more emotionally connected to her because of her Serbian background, so I try even more. She definitely has all the tools to be a future champion, a future [world] No. 1, so that’s exactly what I wish for her.”

At just 18 years old, with a rapidly rising ranking and growing belief, Jovic looks poised to follow a similar path, turning challenges into fuel and promise into greatness. Do you think she has the potential to challenge the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff in the near future?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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