Bagel served! Iva Jovic overwhelms Putintseva to storm into Australian Open quarterfinals
Tennis NewsSunday, 25 January 2026 at 05:11
Iva Jovic reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinals after defeating Yulia Putintseva at the Australian Open. The 18-year-old reached the last eight of a major tournament for the first time after a performance in which she barely conceded a set, sealing the victory 6-0, 6-1 after 53 minutes.
The American had already delivered the big upset in the third round, eliminating world No. 7 Jasmine Paolini in straight sets, but few would have predicted such a dominant win over Putintseva. The Kazakh player came into the tournament full of confidence and, with her extensive experience, appeared to be a complicated obstacle for Jovic.
However, the teenager was dominant from start to finish, winning the first 10 games in a row. Between laughs, Putintseva reacted when she was finally able to win her first game, going down 0-6, 1-4. Jovic did not get distracted for a single game conceded and closed out the victory with firm steps in under an hour, setting up a quarterfinal clash with two-time Australian Open champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
At the moment, Jovic is one of the players in the best form of this 2026 season, in just her second year fully inserted into the professional circuit. Barely a year ago, Jovic was making her Australian Open debut as world No. 191, but the win over Putintseva already guarantees her first-ever entry into the top 20.
Jovic delivers a bagel with ruthless efficiency in the opening set
Jovic took a few points before getting fully into match rhythm. In her first service game she conceded a couple of break opportunities, opening a door for Putintseva early on, but she was unable to take advantage. The American survived the most complicated game of the set, and from that point on she was a steamroller against her opponent.
Jovic claimed three consecutive breaks – from just four opportunities – while also holding her service games without major complications. After just 25 minutes, Jovic delivered a bagel: 6-0, winning 76% of her service points and an incredible 71% of return points, while she hit nine winners compared to just three from Putintseva – who could not find her rhythm in the match and whose serve looked especially vulnerable, with only 20% of points won on first serve.
Control, composure and a rapid finish seal Jovic’s quarterfinal breakthrough
The second set followed the same pattern as the first, with a Jovic who quickly took control behind her serve and already secured the first break in the second game. This time Putintseva showed more fighting spirit on serve, saving several break points, but she could not avoid starting with a double-break deficit.
Jovic continued holding serve and moved ahead 4-0 – a total of 10 games in a row – before Putintseva’s reaction finally arrived. A service game in which Jovic barely landed any first serves gave Putintseva three break opportunities, and she finally claimed her first game of the match with a break, cutting into the deficit more due to errors from Jovic than to great shots from Putintseva.
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That game for the Kazakh proved to be just a mirage that briefly softened the scoreboard toward the end. Jovic kept her composure in the final minutes and ended up closing the match 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 minutes. The American of Serbian roots recorded a 71% first-serve percentage, winning 67% of those points and 73% on second serve, in addition to hitting 17 winners compared to just four from Putintseva.
Jovic secures her first-ever appearance in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam and improves to eight wins in nine matches this season. She has guaranteed her best-ever ranking as world No. 20, and could continue climbing several more positions if she manages to overcome her next challenge: none other than world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who has won 24 of her last 25 matches in Melbourne.
Match Statistics Putintseva vs. Jovic
| Putintseva | VS | Jovic |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 0 | Aces | 3 |
| 3 | Double Faults | 1 |
| 61% (22/36) | 1st Service Percentage | 71% (27/38) |
| 27% (6/22) | 1st Service Points Won | 67% (18/27) |
| 36% (5/14) | 2nd Service Points Won | 73% (8/11) |
| 50% (6/12) | Break Points Saved | 75% (3/4) |
| 0% (0/6) | Service Games | 86% (6/7) |
| Return | ||
| 33% (9/27) | 1st Return Points Won | 73% (16/22) |
| 27% (3/11) | 2nd Return Points Won | 64% (9/14) |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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