Iva Jovic’s second Asian swing has brought a step forward in the draw as well as a wider view of China. The American world No. 11 moved into the third round of the Wuhan tournament on Wednesday, defeating Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-1 after using her time in Beijing and Wuhan to explore the country beyond the courts.
Jovic builds on Beijing progress
Jovic arrived in Wuhan after a more productive run in Beijing than she managed a year earlier. She lost her only Beijing match in 2025, but this month claimed two victories before Iga Swiatek ended her campaign in the round of 16.
Her Wuhan result has already matched last season’s performance, when she came through qualifying to reach the last 16. This year, Jovic was handed a first-round bye and made the most of it against Yastremska.
- Beijing: two wins before a round-of-16 defeat to Swiatek.
- Wuhan: first-round bye followed by a 6-4, 6-1 win over Yastremska.
- Previous Wuhan appearance: reached the round of 16 as a qualifier.
- Next opponent: Roland Garros finalist Maja Chwalinska.
A firm finish against Yastremska
Jovic edged the opening set 6-4, then took command of the second, allowing Yastremska only one game to seal her place in the third round. The result sends her into a first career meeting with Chwalinska on Thursday.
Chwalinska’s run to the Roland Garros final makes the next assignment a significant test, with Jovic seeking to go beyond the Wuhan round of 16 for the first time.
History and city life off court
The 18-year-old has also made a deliberate effort to experience the places hosting the Asian swing. In Beijing, she visited the Great Wall of China with guides and said the trip added context to her stay in the Chinese capital.
“I was lucky to have very good guides in Beijing, and they took us to the Great Wall, so I learned a great deal,” Jovic said. “Beijing is the capital and there are so many historical places to visit. The Wall was especially memorable. I hoped to see the Forbidden City as well, but there was not enough time.”
Wuhan has offered a different atmosphere. Jovic said she had noticed a younger population around the city, which she linked to its large university presence, while the amount of English spoken had made the visit easier to navigate.
“There seem to be more young people in Wuhan, and I think the universities are the reason,” she said. “I was told it has the highest number of universities. It has been really nice, and there is a lot of English spoken too. That makes me feel understood, which I appreciate.”
