Australian Open Prediction: Jasmine Paolini vs Iva Jovic
01:30 AM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Jasmine Paolini -142 / Iva Jovic +110
Jasmine Paolini vs Iva Jovic Preview
Jasmine Paolini made it a hat-trick of third-round appearances at the Australian Open following her straight-sets win over World No. 57 Magdalena Frech in the last round. The match took 17 games to decide and lasted under two hours. Despite the one-sided scoreline, the match featured long points with each set taking at least 50 minutes. Paolini needed five set points to take the first set 6-2. The Italian from an early break deficit to win the second set 6-3, breaking Frech three times. Paolini hit 20 winners and 28 unforced errors in the victory. She landed 61% of first serves in play and won 66% of first serve points (31/47). Paolini won 37% of second serve points (11/30) and saved 11 of 14 break points in the match. Before this, Paolini had beaten Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1, 6-2. She will seek a spot in the last 16, having made it to the second week in Melbourne only once in six previous main draws.
Iva Jovic is one of the most talented teenagers on tour. The 18-year-old is making her second appearance at the Australian Open. Last year, she was knocked out in the second round, but she has already eclipsed that achievement this year by winning two rounds.
Jovic beat compatriot Katie Volynets 6-2, 6-3 in her opener, hitting 24 winners and winning 75% of first serve points (18/24). In the second round, she outclassed World No. 121 Priscila Hon in front of her home crowd. Jovic registered an emphatic 6-1, 6-2 victory in an hour and 12 minutes. In the victory, Jovic hit 17 winners to just 10 unforced errors. She won 76% of first serve points (22/29) and saved eight of 12 break points.