Iva Jovic arrived at the Australian Open with momentum already humming — and she made sure it stayed that way. The 18-year-old American opened her campaign with a composed 6–2, 6–3 win over fellow American Katie Volynets, extending a start to 2026 that increasingly looks like more than a hot streak.
There was no drama, no sudden wobble. Over 90 tidy minutes, Jovic absorbed what little pressure came her way, neutralized Volynets’ consistency, and reached the second round in Melbourne for the second straight year without ever appearing rushed.
Jovic vs Volynets – Full Match Stats
| Statistic | Jovic | Volynets |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 1.76 | 0.57 |
| Winners | 24 | 10 |
| Unforced Errors | 25 | 23 |
| Serve Rating | 290 | 222 |
| Aces | 2 | 2 |
| Double Faults | 0 | 0 |
| 1st Serve % | 57% (24/42) | 71% (47/66) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 75% (18/24) | 45% (21/47) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 68% (15/22) | 60% (9/15) |
| Break Points Saved | 50% (1/2) | 56% (5/9) |
| Ace % | 4.8% | 3% |
| Double Fault % | 0% | 0% |
| Return Rating | 195 | 120 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 55% (26/47) | 25% (6/24) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 40% (6/15) | 32% (7/22) |
| Break Points Won | 44% (4/9) | 50% (1/2) |
| Return Games | 56% (5/9) | 13% (1/8) |
| Pressure Points | 45% (5/11) | 55% (6/11) |
| Service Points | 69% (29/42) | 45% (30/66) |
| Return Points | 55% (36/66) | 31% (13/42) |
| Net Points | 63% (10/16) | 33% (2/6) |
| Total Points | 60% (65/108) | 40% (43/108) |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 1 |
| Max Points In A Row | 8 | 7 |
| Max Games In A Row | 4 | 2 |
| Match Duration | 1h29m | |
Control First, Acceleration Second
Jovic’s performance was built on clarity rather than flair. She read conditions well on a blustery day, stayed disciplined through the middle of rallies, and rarely let Volynets dictate tempo.
“It felt good,” she said afterward. “It was a solid match, and Katie is a tough opponent. She gets a lot of balls back. It was super windy, so there were a lot of different conditions to deal with, but I’m obviously happy to be through.”
The match never escaped her grasp — a quiet but telling marker of how far her baseline management has come over the past 12 months.
Momentum as a Habit, Not a Hope
This was already Jovic’s third tournament of the year, and her legs are warm in the best possible way. She reached the semifinals in Auckland, then backed it up with a runner-up finish in Hobart before touching down in Melbourne.
“Honestly, it feels like one big tournament,” she admitted. “I feel like I’ve been playing almost every day. I like getting a lot of matches and building momentum, so this consistency feels really good for me.”
That rhythm is no accident. A long preseason gave her time to build rather than patch holes on the fly — and the returns are already visible.
Off-Season Work Paying Dividends
After a breakthrough 2025 that included her first WTA title and a jump into the Top 30, Jovic resisted the temptation to coast. Instead, she doubled down.
“A lot of athletic work in the gym — getting stronger, faster, more mobile,” she explained. “And some technical adjustments on my groundstrokes and serve. That took time.”
Playing frequently now is part of that plan. “I had a pretty long preseason, so I had time to work through everything. There were a lot of long days, but it’s definitely starting to click.”
Calm Before the Whirlwind
Perhaps the most striking note was her composure before the tournament even began. Melbourne Park no longer feels foreign, and that familiarity showed — almost too much.
“I was so relaxed — almost too relaxed,” she laughed. “I woke up wanting to go back to sleep. Then once I got here, everything sped up.”
A run of lightning-quick matches ahead of hers meant Jovic barely had time to blink before stepping on court. Yet the chaos helped rather than hurt. “I’ve already played nine matches this year. You’re kind of in rhythm — it goes on autopilot.”
Familiar Faces, Fresh Confidence
Off court, Jovic continues to build roots on tour. She will play doubles alongside Victoria Mboko, a friend dating back to their junior days.
“We’ve kind of come up together,” Jovic said, smiling. “She destroyed me once at the junior US Open. She’s an amazing player but so silly off court. It’s really nice to see how well she’s doing and that we’re both here.”
That sense of belonging extends to her status, too. Jovic is now seeded at a Grand Slam — an achievement she appreciates without overthinking.
“It’s really nice to have reached that goal,” she said. “But it doesn’t change how you approach matches. You still take it one at a time.”
The draw, however, is less intimidating. “It’s nice not to be so nervous when the draw comes out. This time I thought, I’ll look at it later. It’ll be fine either way.”
A Hostile Test Awaits
Next comes a different challenge altogether. Jovic will face Australian wildcard Priscilla Hon, likely stepping on court as the away player in every sense.
“She’s super nice, very friendly, strikes the ball really well,” Jovic said. “She’s got slice, short balls — a lot of variety.”
She expects noise. Plenty of it. “Playing an Australian at the Australian Open is always tough. But I’ve got family here too, and they’re pretty loud — so it’ll be the Jovics against a lot of Aussies.”
For now, that suits her just fine. The tennis is steady, the head is clear, and the season is still young — but Iva Jovic is already moving like someone who expects to be here deep into January.