Iva Jovic defeated Priscilla Hon 6–1, 6–2 in the first round of the Australian Open on hard court on 21 January 2026, confirming her status as the heavy pre-match favourite at odds of 1.17. The Serbian player's commanding performance saw her dispatch Hon with clinical efficiency, dropping just three games across two sets. Jovic's dominance aligned with market expectations, as Hon entered at 4.87 and offered minimal resistance throughout the encounter. The decisive nature of the victory underscores Jovic's current form heading into the second round and reinforces her credentials as a contender in the early Grand Slam of the season.