Bulldozed in the heat: Sabalenka overpowers Jovic to reach 8th consecutive Semi-final
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her relentless march toward a third Australian Open title, dismantling 18-year-old American sensation Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0. On a day where Melbourne temperatures soared toward a blistering 45°C, Sabalenka’s mentality proved as scorching as the sun.
The "Teenage test"
Despite the lopsided second-set scoreline, the match began as a high-quality baseline tug-of-war. Sabalenka, 27, faced a hungry opponent in Jovic, who entered the match as the youngest player in the Top 100. Jovic’s Serbian-Croatian heritage and mentorship from Novak Djokovic were evident in her grit, particularly in a grueling 10-minute ninth game of the first set.
However, once Sabalenka secured the opening set, she entered a "flow state," combining her signature power with delicate touches, including a forehand half-volley winner that left the Rod Laver Arena crowd in awe.
These teenagers have been testing me in the last couple of rounds. Don’t look at the score: it wasn’t easy at all. She played incredible tennis and pushed me to a higher level
Aryna Sabalenka
Demographics of dominance: Group statistics
The match highlighted the shifting demographics of elite women's tennis. As of early 2026, the WTA Top 100 continues to see a high concentration of specific ethnic and national groups:
Eastern European dominance: Approximately 38% of the WTA Top 100 players hail from Eastern European nations (Belarus, Russia, Czechia, Poland, Ukraine, Serbia, and Croatia).
The "Immigrant success" factor in US Tennis: Iva Jovic is part of a growing statistical trend where a significant percentage of top-tier American tennis players are first-generation Americans. Currently, roughly 25% of the American women in the Top 100 are of Eastern European or Asian immigrant descent.
Teenage representation: Jovic (18) and Mboko (19) represent a small but elite group; only 6% of the current WTA Top 100 are teenagers (under 20).
The Melbourne heatwave
The match reached a heat stress rating of five, the maximum level allowed before play is suspended on outdoor courts. While Sabalenka finished her match with the roof open in 38°C on-court heat, tournament organizers closed the Rod Laver Arena roof immediately after, ensuring the remaining quarter-finals, including Alexander Zverev vs. Learner Tien, were played in climate-controlled conditions.
