“This set is cooked”: Iva Jovic reveals mindset behind Queen’s comeback win against Anisimova

Iva Jovic continued one of the strongest grass-court runs of the season by reaching the semifinals of the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club after overcoming Amanda Anisimova in challenging conditions. The American teenager improved her grass-court record to 11-1, a remarkable return considering this is only her second season competing regularly on the professional tour.

The match was shaped by strong winds and the naturally fast conditions of grass, creating a contest where momentum repeatedly shifted. Both players struggled at times to find consistency, but Jovic managed the conditions effectively enough to stay within striking distance whenever the match threatened to slip away from her.

A key moment came during the second set when Jovic suddenly found herself trailing 5-0. Rather than allowing the deficit to affect her approach, she steadied her game, recovered several games and built momentum that ultimately carried into the deciding set.

The result adds another significant chapter to Jovic’s breakthrough campaign and keeps alive the possibility of a new career-high ranking by the end of the week. With a semifinal berth secured and doubles commitments still on her schedule, the 17-year-old continues to establish herself as one of the emerging players to watch during the grass-court season.

Jovic said the combination of wind, grass and Anisimova’s style made it particularly difficult to settle into a rhythm. While she generally considers herself comfortable in windy conditions, the added variables created a match where both players struggled to maintain sustained control.

The American explained that grass magnified the challenge because points developed more quickly than on other surfaces. Against an opponent who prefers aggressive first-strike tennis, finding the correct balance between attack and consistency became increasingly complicated as the match progressed.

Reflecting on the conditions, Jovic noted that the fluctuating scoreline was a direct consequence of the circumstances both players faced throughout the contest.

“Usually I play pretty well in the wind because I can manage it better than my opponents, but I think the combination of it being grass, which is more quick-fire than any other surface, and playing Amanda, who doesn't give you a lot of rhythm, and then adding the wind on top, made it very hard to find the range and get good momentum.

That kind of showed with the scoreline and how up and down it was, but I just tried to ride the wave until the end, and thankfully it paid off.”

The most difficult stretch of the match arrived when Jovic fell behind 5-0 in the second set. Although the deficit appeared likely to force a decider with little resistance, the teenager instead focused on regaining stability and confidence rather than immediately chasing a full comeback.

Jovic admitted that her initial reaction was to accept the set was effectively lost. However, by concentrating on winning individual games and rebuilding momentum, she gradually shifted the direction of the contest. Those small gains became increasingly important as the match entered its decisive stages.

“Honestly, at 5-0, I was like, ‘Okay, this set is cooked. You're done. Let's just try to feel a little bit better. At least get one hold under the belt so you can go into the third with more confidence.

But that's the thing that's tricky on grass. It's so quick, and someone like Amanda can catch fire at any moment. I feel like I blinked and suddenly I was down 5-0. It was all a bit of a blur, but just getting that momentum back in the second set helped me so much for the third.”

Her comments reflected the unique nature of grass-court tennis, where momentum can change rapidly and short periods of dominance often determine the outcome. By recovering from the disappointing second-set position, Jovic entered the final stages with renewed confidence and ultimately completed the victory.

The win was only part of an intense day for Jovic, who also had doubles responsibilities alongside fellow American McCartney Kessler. The condensed schedule at Queen’s has placed additional physical demands on players, making recovery a significant factor as the tournament enters its final rounds.

Despite the workload, Jovic appeared relaxed when discussing her immediate plans after leaving the court. "Right now, I'm going to eat some food, give my mom a hug, and maybe take a quick nap, but I'll be right back on the court pretty soon.”

With an 11-1 record on grass and a semifinal appearance already secured, Jovic's confidence continues to grow. Whether in singles or doubles, she has become one of the standout performers of the early grass season, and another strong result this week could further underline her rapid rise on the WTA Tour.