14-year-old Jana Kovackova reaches last on professional debut, writes historical past

Tremendous gifted Czech Jana Kovackova turns 15 in June. She is already within the top-15 of the junior rating record, chasing large desires in 2025. Jana is final yr’s U14 Wimbledon champion and the winner of eight ITF titles. 

Kovackova wasted no time in exhibiting her abilities on the skilled circuit. The 14-year-old debuted on the professional stage on the W15 Sharm el Sheikh occasion, utilizing her junior rating to enter the primary draw. Jana scored 4 victories and have become the primary participant born in 2010 in a professional last!

Kovackova stood a degree away from lifting a professional trophy at such a younger age, losing a match level in opposition to Isabella Shinikova and ending runner-up. 

— Sasha (@Sasha_WTA) July 13, 2023

Jana performed her first skilled match in opposition to Ayumi Miyamoto and received 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. The younger gun turned the tables within the second set and dominated the decider for a spot within the second spherical. The Czech met one other Japanese rival whereas battling for the quarter-final.

Kovackova ousted Kisa Yoshioka 6-1, 6-3 and continued her marketing campaign. Gaining confidence, Jana toppled Ekaterina Perelygina 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 19 minutes and located herself within the semi-final. The 14-year-old seized 5 of six break factors, controlling the scoreboard and crusing via. 

Jana Kovackova© Stream screenshot

 

Kovackova confronted Tamara Kostic within the semi-final and earned a 1-6, 6-3, 6-0 triumph in an hour and 33 minutes. Kostic made a dependable begin earlier than a young person discovered her strokes within the second set. Jana claimed 12 of the ultimate 15 video games and moved excessive with a bagel within the decider. 

Thus, the 14-year-old reached the ultimate at her first skilled event! Kovackova performed Bulgaria’s Isabella Shinikova and skilled a good 3-6, 6-0 7-6 loss after losing a match level! Jana earned ten break probabilities and transformed 4 whereas dropping serve 5 occasions. 

Jana Kovackova© Stream screenshot

 

Kovackova served nicely within the opener and clinched 4 straight video games from 2-3 to maneuver nearer to the title. Shinikova responded within the second set and supplied a bagel to power a decider. Jana squandered two break factors within the second sport and suffered a break within the subsequent one. 

The Bulgarian held at love two occasions and solid a 4-2 benefit. Kovackova pulled the break again within the eighth sport and locked the consequence at 4-4. Isabella stepped in on the return and transformed the second break level to open a 6-5 benefit and serve for the title. 

Jana Kovackova© Stream screenshot

The Czech stayed centered and broke again in sport 12 to maintain her probabilities alive. Shinikova clinched three mini-breaks for 4-1 earlier than dropping two factors on serve. Jana suffered two extra mini-breaks and confronted three match factors at 3-6. 

The Bulgarian wasted the primary with a double fault and missed the second to maintain the younger gun alive. Kovackova claimed two factors on serve and created a match level at 8-7. Isabella denied it and clinched three straight factors, stealing the breaker 9-7 and successful the title.