Iva Jovic, the 18-year-old American tennis player, has advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open after completing her first-round match, which was delayed by weather. Jovic defeated unseeded Magdalena Frech 7-5, 6-3 on Wednesday at the Grandstand.
The completion of her match came more than a day after it began, with Jovic having to wait for the weather to clear. The win marks her second consecutive appearance in the second round at Flushing Meadows and continues a strong trajectory for the young player.
Earlier in 2026, Jovic reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, becoming the youngest woman to do so since Venus Williams. Her victory at this year's U.S. Open also makes her the youngest American woman to win a main draw match since 2000.
Peter Smith, who coached Jovic for five years starting at age 11, described her progress as a series of deliberate steps. "She’s made them and she’s gotten to these steps and she hasn’t been overwhelmed or wowed by anything. That’s incredibly impressive," Smith said.
Jovic has shown resilience on the court, with Smith noting her ability to handle pressure and internal "little voices." Her game, which emphasizes baseline play and strong movement, has been key to her rapid rise.
Jovic has also received encouragement from fellow professionals, including a good-luck message from Novak Djokovic before her first-round match. Her name is increasingly being mentioned alongside other emerging and established American tennis stars.