Why Iva Jovic thinks beating Jessica Pegula is such a tough task before Charleston Open showdown

Iva Jovic is set to face Jessica Pegula for only the second time in her career when they meet in Charleston.

Their first meeting came at the Dubai Tennis Championships earlier this year, where Pegula came out on top with a 6-4, 6-2 victory.

Jovic, just 18 years old, will be hoping for a better showing this time around but knows she has her work cut out for her.

Iva Jovic says Jessica Pegula makes you ‘really work for it’

Jovic was asked about her next opponent in her press conference after the quarter-final match.

“I think it’s obviously one of the best players in the world right now, and consistently for the past years,” she said. “She’s very solid, doesn’t give away a lot, and places her serve very well.

“You really have to beat her, she’s not going to have one of those days where, ‘Oh, I’m not playing so well…’

“She showed this week that even if she goes down, or if you’re having a hot start, she’s going to come back and she’s going to make you really work for it. No one has been able to shut the door on her… Yet.

“It’s not enough to get up, go ahead, and she’s going to go away, no, you really have to go out there and beat her. So it will be tough.”

Despite Pegula being seen as a clear favourite heading into their clash in Charleston, Jovic will be hoping this time out goes differently from their first encounter.

What’s at stake for Pegula and Jovic?

A spot in the final, naturally, but that’s not the only thing on the line.

If Pegula gets past Jovic, she’ll stay ahead of Amanda Anisimova and keep her place as world number five.

She’s defending 500 points from last year’s title run and has temporarily slipped behind Anisimova in the live WTA rankings, but a trip to the final would put her back in front.

Jovic also stands to gain ground. Currently 16th, a win would move her ahead of Naomi Osaka into 15th while also holding off Madison Keys.

Jovic hasn’t been inside the top 15 before, so this would mark a new career-high if she manages it.

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