On the way to a 12th victory this year for Iva?

Sure looks like it!

Iva Jovic started her Texas campaign with disconcerting authority, sweeping past Anna Blinkova in the first round (6-3, 6-4). This victory confirms her status as the new major force on tour in 2026, having already reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open in January after notably taking out Yulia Putintseva and Jasmine Paolini. With an impressive record of 11 wins for only 3 losses this season, the 18-year-old American shows ruthless efficiency on hard courts, winning nearly 78% of her matches. Her ability to dictate rallies from the baseline, illustrated by her 41 break points converted in her recent tournaments, makes her the logical favorite in this round of 16 matchup.

Ajla Tomljanovic, for her part, comes in full of confidence after recording a historic win over Venus Williams (6-4, 6-1), becoming one of the few players to hold a positive record against both Williams sisters. Take that for what it’s worth :) If the Australian rediscovers her feel in Austin, her start to the 2026 season has still been marked by a certain inconsistency and physical setbacks, including a recent withdrawal in Abu Dhabi due to illness. Up against Jovic’s firepower, she will have to rely on her experience in big matches, but her serving stats (only 53% of points won behind her second serve this season) could be a gaping weakness against her opponent’s quality of return. Ajla defends well but will be overwhelmed by the American’s speed and the speed of the surface!