Tennis-Rybakina eases past local wildcard Jones in Melbourne


  • Tennis
  • Tuesday, 14 Jan 2025

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 14, 2025 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina celebrates winning her first round match against Australia's Emerson Jones REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Elena Rybakina overpowered Emerson Jones 6-1 6-1 in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday after the much-anticipated Grand Slam debut of the local teenager turned into one-sided showcase for the world number seven.

The best first serve in women's tennis was on full display on Margaret Court Arena as Rybakina summoned up 11 aces and quickly snuffed out the three break points earned by the 16-year-old Australian.

"She has a great future and many more years on tour, but I am pretty happy with my performance," the 25-year-old Rybakina said on court.

"I watched a bit of her matches, of course ... I think she is very talented and has a great future ahead of her."

Wildcard Jones was a finalist in juniors at the Australian Open and Wimbledon last year and is seen by some as a potential successor to former world number one Ash Barty.

She struggled to make use of the down-the-line forehand that proved effective in previous matches this season, most notably when she downed world number 37 Wang Xinyu at the Adelaide International earlier this month.

On Tuesday, she was at her best when playing the ball low against the tall former Wimbledon champion but too often her nerves took over and she snatched at it too eagerly and sprayed her shots high or wide.

Rybakina has been criticised at times for being slow on her feet but the sixth seed did not have to move much in a match dominated by short rallies.

The Kazakh will face another teenage wildcard, American Iva Jovic, in the second round.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Tennis

Tennis-Djokovic stunned by Berrettini in Qatar Open first round
ATP roundup: Carlos Alcaraz posts hard-fought win at Doha
Tennis-Djokovic says players believe there is favouritism in anti-doping system
Tennis-Brazilian youngster Fonseca triumphs at Argentina Open
Tennis-Medvedev hopes Sinner's doping settlement with WADA sets precedent
ATP roundup: Hamad Medjedovic earns milestone victory in Marseille
Tennis-Anisimova beats Ostapenko in Qatar final to claim first WTA 1000 title
Tennis-Sinner accepts three-month doping ban after settlement with WADA
ATP roundup: Defending Delray Beach champ Taylor Fritz falls
Tennis-Ostapenko dumps Swiatek out of Qatar Open to set up Anisimova final

Others Also Read