Iva Jovic advanced to the third round of the 2026 French Open on Thursday, defeating Emma Navarro 6-0, 6-3 on the clay courts of Roland Garros.
The 18-year-old US star controlled the match from the opening game, holding serve and applying consistent pressure from the baseline. Navarro, who defeated Jovic at the Strasbourg Open last week, was unable to find her footing against the aggressive returning game of her younger opponent.
With this latest win, Jovic shifted the dynamic of the duo's budding rivalry.
Navarro excelled on her second serve, winning 69% of those points. She also generated 12 break-point opportunities, converting five of them.
"I think I played well in the tight moments in the games," Jovic said post-match. "Obviously the scoreline is favoring me well, but it wasn't necessarily realistic to how all the games were played out. I think I just played the right way in the bigger points."
While the 25-year-old ace managed to fire four aces, Navarro struggled to find consistency and won just two of her service games against Jovic's deep returns.
Iva Jovic Sets Up 2026 French Open Clash with Naomi Osaka
This decisive victory sends Jovic into a highly anticipated third-round blockbuster against fan favorite Naomi Osaka.
Earlier in the day, the world No 16 Osaka fought past Croatia’s Donna Vekic with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 victory.
Both Jovic and Osaka are now aiming to reach a career-first French Open Round of 16. Fans can expect an tactical power battle when the athletes meet on Saturday, May 30th.
