British teen causes huge shock by beating opponent 219 places higher in world rankings
A 17-year-old who is currently ranked 275 in the world has made headlines after she scored a stunning upset on her Billie Jean King Cup debut in Melbourne.
Mika Stojsavljevic overturned a difference of 219 places in the WTA rankings to record a 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 victory over world No 65 Talia Gibson, who was the overwhelming favourite coming into the contest.
The teenager went 3-1 ahead in the early stages but needed a tie-break to take the opening set after a valiant comeback from the in-form Gibson.
Stojsavljevic continued to impress in the second set, establishing a 4-1 lead, and although she missed the chance to serve for the match at 5-3, the former US Open girls' singles champion went on to secure a memorable win.
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"It feels amazing, I can't believe it to be honest", she said after her Billie Jean King Cup debut win. "I can't even remember the last point, I just played and had amazing support on the side and managed to get through."
Stojsavljevic, who was born in the UK to a Serbian father and a Polish mother, trained at the LTA national academy in Loughborough.
After taking her GCSEs last summer, she is currently studying English Literature and Politics at A-Level, all while competing on the ITF World Tennis Tour.
Speaking ahead of her match against Gibson, the 17-year-old opened up about being selected to represent Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup alongside Harriet Dart, Katie Swan and Jodie Burrage.
"It means everything to me," Stojsavljevic told the LTA. "I'm very excited to be here and I've really enjoyed the first couple of days with the team so far."
"I still remember where I was (when she got the call)," she continued. "I had just finished in the gym when she (captain Anne Keothavong) called me and honestly, I couldn't believe it. I had been told there was a chance but when I actually got the confirmation, I was really excited."
Stojsavljevic made her breakthrough in 2024 after becoming the first British player to win the US Open girls’ singles title in 15 years.
She has since won the Lexus British Pro Series Birmingham title and made the final of the Lexus Wrexham Open and W100 Dubai. Remember the name.
Jack Kenmare