Bottles tumbled down the bleachers as a wind blew across the seats above Court 12. Unfortunately the breeze was deceptive.
By the time 16-year-old Iva Jovic – the youngest player in the women’s singles draw – arrived for this second-round match, temperatures were soaring towards the mid-nineties. It was suffocating. Benches burned the skin of supporters; shirts at courtside were soaked in sweat. Imagine playing in it.
On Monday evening, in her Grand Slam debut, the American overcame a swarm of bugs – and world No 42 Magda Linette – to earn $140,000 and announce herself at these championships.
On Wednesday, she took on the No 29 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova – and the blistering heat. The prize this time? $215,000 and a meeting with world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka.
In the end, it all proved too much. But only after Jovic came through a serious medical scare and saved six match points. Only after three brutal, undulating hours of action. Only after a gargantuan display of grit from the world No 389.
American teenager Iva Jovic lost a three-set thriller to No 29 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova
Alexandrova (R) finally triumphed 4-6 6-4 7-5 against the world No 389, who is just 16 years old
By the time Jovic finally succumbed, the scoreboard read 4-6 6-4 7-5 to Alexandrova. In reality, though, it was the elements that did for the teenager.
For most of the afternoon, she went toe-to-toe with the Russian, taking the game to Alexandrova and taking the first set, too.
But then the elements intervened. Midway through the second set – with the world No 389 a set up but a break down – medics rushed on to court. The 16-year-old had begun to wilt.
They checked Jovic’s blood pressure and her pulse. They stayed nearby as the teenager tried everything to cool down – two wet towels, energy drinks, water in her mouth and over her head. She took on energy gels and she blew cold air into her face.
It was all rather concerning to watch. No wonder Jovic’s older sister looked shell shocked as she stood nearby, barking words of encouragement in Serbian.
Jovic needed medical attention as she threatened to wilt in the brutal heat on Wednesday
The teenager recovered and saved six match points before finally succumbing on Court 12
Thankfully, Jovic recovered enough to continue – and make a couple of gutsy holds. But all of a sudden she was in survival mode.
Between points the teenager took refuge in the slither of shade at the back of the court. Even those desperate measures could not prevent Alexandrova levelling the match. The writing, it seemed, was on the wall.
But the Russian still wasn’t happy – she barked at her team even after taking the second set. And Jovic still wasn’t done yet. She continued to draw on every drop of resolve.
The temperature refused to dip below 90 degrees – even as the shadows started to lengthen. But a 10-minute heat break gave the American a chance to regroup.
Jovic – roared on by the home crowd – earned six break points at the start of set three. Alas, she failed to take any of them. That looked fatal when the Russian broke to lead 4-3 and then served for the match at 5-3. Jovic pegged her back not once but twice.
Unfortunately, Alexandrova broke for a third straight time. The teenager had just enough in the tank to save more three more match points before the well finally ran dry.
