Heartbreak for 16-year-old US Open tennis star Iva Jovic as she LOSES three-set thriller – after scary moment medics rushed to her aid
Bottles fell over the stands as the wind blew over the seats above field 12. Unfortunately, the wind was deceptive.
By the time 16-year-old Iva Jovic – the youngest player in the women’s singles – arrived for this second-round match, temperatures had risen into the mid-90s. It was stuffy. Benches burned fans’ skin; shirts along the pitch were soaked with sweat. Imagine playing in that.
On Monday night, in her Grand Slam debut, the American overcame a swarm of insects – and world number 42 Magda Linette – to earn $140,000 and announce herself at the championships.
On Wednesday, she faced No. 29 Ekaterina Alexandrova—and the blazing heat. The prize this time? $215,000 and a meeting with world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka.
In the end, it was all too much. But only after Jovic had overcome a serious medical scare and saved six match points. Only after three brutal, undulating hours of action. Only after a gigantic display of courage from the world number 389.
American teenager Iva Jovic lost a thrilling match in three sets to 29th-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova
Alexandrova (R) eventually triumphed 4-6 6-4 7-5 against the world number 389, who is only 16 years old
By the time Jovic finally succumbed, the scoreboard read 4-6 6-4 7-5 to Alexandrova. In reality, however, it was the elements that did it for the teenager.
She battled the Russian for most of the afternoon, winning the match against Alexandrova and also winning the first set.
But then the elements intervened. Midway through the second set – with the world number 389 a set up but a break down – medics rushed onto the court. The 16-year-old was beginning to wilt.
They checked Jovic’s blood pressure and pulse. They stayed nearby as the teen tried everything to cool down – two wet towels, energy drinks, water in her mouth and over her head. She took energy gels and blew cold air on her face.
It was all rather disturbing to watch. No wonder Jovic’s older sister looked shocked as she stood nearby, barking words of encouragement in Serbian.
Jovic needed medical attention as she threatened to wither in Wednesday’s extreme heat
The teenager recovered and saved six match points before eventually going down on court 12
Fortunately, Jovic recovered enough to continue – and make a few brave moves. But suddenly she was in survival mode.
Between points, the teenager sought refuge in the shade at the back of the court. Even those desperate measures could not prevent Alexandrova from leveling the match. It seemed the writing was on the wall.
But the Russian was still not happy – she barked at her team even after winning the second set. And Jovic was not done yet. She continued to draw on every drop of determination.
The temperature refused to drop below 90 degrees – even as the shadows lengthened. But a A 10-minute break gave the Americans a chance to regroup.
Jovic – cheered on by the home crowd – earned six break points at the start of set three. Unfortunately, she failed to take one. That seemed fatal when the Russian broke out to lead 4-3 and then served for the match at 5-3. Jovic pushed her back not once, but twice.
Unfortunately, Alexandrova broke for the third time in a row. The teenager had just enough in the tank to save three more match points before the well finally ran dry.