Iva Jovic made a successful Australian Open debut at 17! The young American of Serbian origin earned a wild card for the first Major of the season and used it with both hands, continuing where she left at last year's US Open.
Iva faced Nuria ParrizasDiaz in the first round on Court 7 and scored a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory in an hour and 26 minutes. The American outplayed her rival behind the first serve and player better behind the second as well. The young gun hit 25 winners and 12 unforced errors.
She kept her composure in the pivotal moments, defending all fivebreak points and delivering six breaks from seven opportunities. Ivaforged a massive advantage in the shortest rallies up to four strokes, while they stayed neck and neck in the more advanced ones.
The 17-year-old lost serve in the first game of the encounter. She cracked a backhand down the line winner in the second game, pulling it back and gaining confidence. Iva denied a break point in the third game and provided her first hold for a 2-1 lead.
ParrizasDiaz sprayed an error in the fourth game, suffering another break and falling 3-1 behind. Jovic forced the rival's mistake in the next one, consolidating the lead and opening a 4-1 gap. Nuria received a medical timeout during the break.
She held in game six before facing more issues at 2-5. Iva made another push on the return and landed a volley winner at the net for a break at love and the opener. The American denied two break points in the third game of the second ser and gained confidence.
She drew the rival's error in game four to forge a set and a break advantage. Jovic grabbed another break in game six, moving 5-1 up and serving for the win. The young gun played against two more break points. She denied them and welcomed Nuria's backhand error for a match point.
ParrizasDiaz netted a backhand, allowing her rivalto celebrate her first Australian Open win on debut. The 17-year-old will face Elena Rybakina in the second round.
