The Australian Swing is now well underway, with many Australian players aiming to cause a stir on home soil.
Australia impressed at the United Cup before falling in the quarterfinals, with Alex de Minaur shining on the court more often than not.
It’s a positive sign as the Australian Open approaches, with fans certain to be desperate for a home winner in Melbourne.
And De Minaur arguably represents his nation’s best chance of Grand Slam success, entering the tournament as Australia’s highest-ranked player.
The Australian Open is the best Grand Slam… discuss!
Maya Joint knocks Sofia Kenin out of Adelaide International
He is sixth in the ATP Tour rankings, while WTA number 32 and his recent United Cup teammate Maya Joint is the next highest-ranked Australian across both the men and women.
De Minaur labelled Joint “incredible” ahead of the tournament, and the 19-year-old is currently doing her best to live up to that reputation.
Joint has just won her opening match at the Adelaide International, defeating American Sofia Kenin 7-6(7-3), 6-4.
Five-time WTA champion Kenin is a former world number four, and won the Australian Open in 2020, as well as losing the French Open final in the same year.
Maya Joint expects ‘amazing’ fans in all-Australian Adelaide clash
Joint has been rewarded for her efforts with a round of 16 match against fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.
Discussing that clash, she said: “Yeah, I played her three times. Yeah, I mean, it’s always tough playing a friend. I think we’ve had pretty good matches each time.
“Yeah, always difficult having to play someone that you know, playing another Aussie. I think the crowd’s going to be amazing. The atmosphere’s going to be really good, so I’m excited.”
Tomljanovic enters the match with a positive head-to-head record over the teenager, winning two of their three matches so far.
But Joint will likely not be playing with any fear against the 32-year-old, with the youngster already boasting two WTA titles in her brief career so far.
Jelena Ostapenko is out of the Adelaide International along with Kenin, but Joint’s fellow Australian teenager Emerson Jones suffered defeat to Emma Navarro.
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