Jovic dismisses ‘underdog’ label with Sabalenka looming

CONFIDENT teenager Iva Jovic said yesterday she has no “underdog mentality” after barrelling into her first Grand Slam quarterfinal and a meeting with two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.

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The 18-year-old American was undaunted on John Cain Arena against the vastly more experienced Yulia Putintseva, ripping her apart 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 dominant minutes. It marked another giant step in the emergence of Jovic, who stunned two-time Grand Slam finalist and seventh seed Jasmine Paolini in round three for the biggest scalp of her career.

She now faces the daunting challenge of Sabalenka, who swatted aside another teenager - Jovic’s good friend and doubles partner Victoria Mboko - in straight sets, also yesterday, 7-6, 6-1.