​Iva Jovic is now a two-time WTA champion after winning the Guadalajara Open title in Mexico.Jovic successfully defended her Guadalajara title, and has since risen three places in the WTA rankings to 13th, her career-high. She beat Peyton Stearns in this year’s final, lifting the trophy after a 6-4, 6-2 victory.And the success has proved significant in much broader terms, with Jovic now following in the footsteps of a handful of women’s tennis legends, including five-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one Maria Sharapova.Iva Jovic emulates Maria Sharapova after Guadalajara Open titleAs per OptaAce, at the age of 18 years and 282 days at the start of the event, Jovic is the youngest player to defend a WTA title since Sharapova, who achieved the feat at Birmingham in 2005. She is also the youngest American to do so since Venus Williams in Miami in 1999.It is quite the achievement by the rising star, who did not drop a set en route to claiming the title. Jovic also knocked out Zeynep Sonmez, Magdalena Frech and Cristina Bucsa during her successful run in Mexico.The American has enjoyed a rapid rise, with the 18-year-old clearly heading for a very bright future indeed. It continues a fantastic season for the teenager, who reached her first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal this year at the Australian Open.Top rank by yearYear-end ranking1320263320253518920242066462023647Iva Jovic’s WTA rankings historyShe also found the spotlight at the US Open, with Jovic and Alexandra Eala playing one of the matches of the tournament in the third round. The American beat her Filipina rival and friend 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, before losing to compatriot Coco Gauff in the next round.All three players emphasise just how exciting the future of women’s tennis is, representing a handful of the many young players who can help carry the sport for many years to come. They are joined by the likes of top 10 players Mirra Andreeva and Linda Noskova, and top 20 players Diana Shnaider and Victoria Mboko.