Match Details
Fixture: (5) Elena Rybakina vs Iva Jovic
Date: January 16, 2025
Tournament: Australian Open 2025
Round: Second Round (Round of 64)
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Hard (Outdoor)
Prize Money: A$ 96,500,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN & Tennis Channel | UK - Eurosport | India - Sony Sports & Sony LIV
Elena Rybakina vs Iva Jovic preview
For the second straight match at the 2025 Australian Open, former finalist Elena Rybakina will take on an up-and-coming teenager. Having beaten 16-year-old Emerson Jones, in her opener, her next challenge will come from 17-year-old Iva Jovic.
Rybakina, who is the sixth seed at this year’s tournament, made quick work of her opener against Jones. She dropped just two games en-route to a 6-1, 6-1 victory, improving her season’s win-loss to 4-1.
The Kazakh’s sole loss of the new season so far has come at the hands of Iga Swiatek at the United Cup. Otherwise, she has looked assured and will be a challenge to take on for any opponent.
Jovic, meanwhile, is playing in just her second-ever Grand Slam main draw. She made a dream start to her Slam career at last year’s US Open, becoming the youngest American since 2000 to register a match win after beating Magda Linette in her opener. She lost in the next round to Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Playing here in Melbourne, the teenager has notched up her second main draw Grand Slam victory. She brushed aside Nuria Parrizas Diaz 6-2, 6-1 to set up the showdown against Rybakina.
Elena Rybakina vs Iva Jovic head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between the players on the Tour, so their current head-to-head stands at 0-0.
Elena Rybakina vs Iva Jovic odds
(Odds to be updated later)
Elena Rybakina vs Iva Jovic prediction
Given the huge gulf in world rankings and the level of experience, Elena Rybakina will come into the contest as a heavy favorite. She will, however, need to be wary of her young opponent’s complete game.
Jovic possesses a solid baseline game and can unleash big groundstrokes off both wings. On top of that, she can slice and has the added volleying skills from the several hours on the doubles court (she has won two junior Grand Slams in the discipline).
The youngster will look to surprise her opponent by giving her different looks at the ball and the Kazakh will need to be slightly patient.
Rybakina remains the more explosive player off the ground and her serve gives her a big edge in the quick conditions. She fired 11 aces in her opener and won 80% of the points behind the first delivery.
Jovic could well put up a fight but if Rybakina can replicate her service figures from the last match, she could prove too strong for her young opponent.
Prediction: Rybakina to win in two tight sets.