American tennis star Iva Jovic overcame a first-set deficit to defeat qualifier Harriet Dart 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in nearly three hours of play, advancing to the third round of the Beijing WTA 1000 tournament.
Iva Jovic’s Three-Set Battle Against Harriet Dart
Iva Jovic secured her spot in the Beijing third round after a demanding nearly three-hour match against qualifier Harriet Dart. Entering the tournament as the No. 10 seed and holding a first-round bye, Jovic faced early struggles on her serve. Dart capitalized on these vulnerabilities, breaking the American in the third and seventh games to comfortably secure the opening set 6-2.
Following the slow start, Jovic mounted a decisive recovery. She claimed an early break in the second set to jump to a 3-1 lead. Although Dart broke right back in the fifth game, Jovic responded immediately with another break in the sixth game to establish a 4-2 advantage. She held her serve through the remainder of the set to force a decider.
Match Momentum Shifts
Jovic’s ability to reset after dropping the first set proved crucial. By tightening her service games and converting crucial break points in the second and third sets, she neutralized Dart’s early tactical momentum.
Replicating Guadalajara Success in Beijing
The hard-court battle in Beijing comes closely on the heels of a strong run for Jovic, who successfully defended her Guadalajara title just two weeks prior. Despite the heavy schedule and physical toll of back-to-back tournaments, the No. 10 seed managed to avoid a shock early exit in the Chinese WTA 1000 event.
The third set mirrored the tactical patterns of the second. Jovic squandered an early break advantage, allowing Dart to pull level at 3-3. However, the American showed composure down the stretch, sweeping the final three games of the match to close out the 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory.
Upcoming Third-Round Clash Against Kamilla Rakhimova
In the Beijing third round, Jovic advances to face world No. 76 Kamilla Rakhimova. This fixture marks the third meeting between the two players over the span of the last 12 months. Their prior encounters heavily favor the American.
In late 2025, Jovic defeated Rakhimova in the qualifying first round at Wuhan. She followed up that performance with another victory against the same opponent at Dubai earlier this year. Despite her shaky opener against Dart, Jovic enters the matchup against Rakhimova as the clear favorite.
Familiar Opponents
Jovic and Rakhimova will be playing their third match against each other in roughly a year, giving both players deep tactical familiarity with each other’s games.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jovic’s Beijing Run
How did Iva Jovic qualify for the second round in Beijing?
As the No. 10 seed at the WTA 1000 tournament, Jovic received a first-round bye, moving directly into the second round where she faced Harriet Dart.
What was the final score of the match against Harriet Dart?
Dart took the first set 6-2, but Jovic fought back to win the next two sets 6-3, 6-3, completing the comeback in nearly three hours.
When and where did Jovic last play Rakhimova before Beijing?
Jovic previously beat Rakhimova in the Wuhan qualifying first round in late 2025 and again at Dubai earlier this year.
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