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Rising British star Mika Stojsavljevic is not scared to face American third seed Iva Jovic in the US Open girls’ semi-finals.
Stojsavljevic was one of three British junior winners in New York on Thursday as Mingge Xu joined her in the last four of the girls’ tournament while Charlie Robertson advanced in the boys’.
Jovic caused a storm in the first week of the tournament when she made the second round of the main draw and was within a few points of beating 29th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova to set up a third-round tie with Aryna Sabalenka.
The 16-year-old will be a big favourite against Stojsavljevic, but the Brit was assured in a straight-sets quarter-final win over Annika Penickova.
“I played her before I lost, but that was a year ago,” the 15-year-old told the PA news agency.
“I don’t think it’s daunting at all. I think it’s an exciting challenge and a match that I’m really excited for.
“I watched a bit of her matches. I know how she plays. So it should be an exciting match.”
Stojsavljevic believes she is not too far away from joining Jovic in playing senior tournaments.
“That’s a difficult question, because anything can happen, right?” she said.
“It can happen next year. It could happen in five years. You never really know.
“I think if I keep working hard, it will happen to me. I don’t think I’m far away, I’m certainly getting there, and it will happen on its own.”
Xu won a titanic battle against second seed Tyra Caterina Grant on Louis Armstrong, triumphing 7-5 5-7 6-4 in two hours and 38 minutes.
She is not daring to dream too big just yet.
She said: “I’m just really, really pleased to get into my first semi-finals at a grand slam.
“I think for me it would be unreal to win. But at the moment, I’m just kind of not dreaming too big, having that dream in the back of my mind.
“Not thinking about too much yet, but it is there.
“I don’t think it’s daunting at all. I think it’s an exciting challenge and a match that I’m really excited for. I don’t think it’s daunting at all. I think it’s an exciting challenge and a match that I’m really excited for.
I don't think it's daunting at all. I think it's an exciting challenge and a match that I'm really excited for— Mika Stojsavljevic
There could well be an all-British final if both girls, who played together in the doubles, progress.
“I feel like it’s really great for her,” Xu said of Stojsavljevic’s progress. “She’s doing so well. I’m really happy for her.
“We’ve been hitting with each other every morning. So hopefully that’s what it is. Hopefully we do the same thing tomorrow, and we get through to the final, then we’ll see what happens.
“But I think so far, it’s just been a really good tournament for both of us, and Charlie as well.”
Robertson advanced to the last four with an easy 6-1 6-2 win over Flynn Thomas.
