Italy's Cocciaretto claims Hobart title ahead of Australian Open

Ranked 80th in the world, Cocciaretto had finished runner-up at the tournament in 2023 but went one step further this year, securing a 6-4, 6-4 win over Jovic. The American won her maiden WTA title last year in Guadalajara at just 17 years old, AFP reports.

Cocciaretto, a former world number 29, had to win two matches in qualifying to reach the main draw and gathered momentum after a dramatic second-round comeback against fourth seed Ann Li, recovering from 6-1, 5-3 down.

The 24-year-old, whose only previous WTA title came on clay in Lausanne in 2023, did not drop more than four games in any set for the remainder of the tournament.

She became the fourth qualifier to win the Hobart International title, following Mona Barthel in 2012, Garbine Muguruza in 2014, and Lauren Davis in 2023.

Cocciaretto will open her Australian Open campaign against Austria’s Julia Grabher, while Jovic is set to face fellow American Katie Volynets.