Teenage tennis star Maya Joint has made history at the Madrid Open, surpassing Ash Barty’s record with her first WTA 1000 match victory. The 19-year-old from Queensland defeated Spain’s Carlota Martinez Cirez in a thrilling first-round match.
19-Year-Old Joins Elite Company with Historic Win
On her debut in the WTA 1000 level, Maya Joint defeated wildcard Carlota Martinez Cirez 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. This win made her the youngest Australian ever to claim a WTA 1000 match victory. Joint achieved this milestone just days after her 19th birthday, surpassing Ash Barty’s previous record. Barty had won her first Masters-level match at the 2017 Miami Open at the age of 20 years and 330 days.
Joint’s Impressive Performance in Madrid
It was Joint’s first match at a tour-level clay-court event. Despite a second-set slump, the young Queenslander showed her resilience. After a strong start in the first set, she lost some of her rhythm in the second but regained her focus in the final set. Joint sealed her victory by breaking Martinez Cirez’s serve at 4-4 in the deciding set.
From Strength to Strength: Joint’s Rapid Rise
Since switching allegiance to Australia, Joint has impressed tennis fans with her performances. She has earned notable victories over experienced players like Sara Errani and Jil Teichmann during qualifying. Ranked No. 78 in the world, Joint is the second youngest player in the top 100. Her rise has been rapid, with a jump from No. 269 in the world this time last year.
Next Challenge: Facing Emma Navarro
Joint now prepares for her second-round match against American Emma Navarro, who is ranked No. 10 in the world. The match will take place on Thursday, and Joint will be looking to continue her impressive run in Madrid.
Ajla Tomljanovic and Kim Birrell’s Exits
While Joint advanced to the next round, two other Australian players, Ajla Tomljanovic and Kim Birrell, were eliminated. Tomljanovic suffered a 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 loss to Swiss Rebeka Masarova, who is ranked 74 spots lower than Tomljanovic. Birrell also lost her match to American Peyton Stearns, leaving Joint and Daria Kasatkina as the remaining Australians in the women’s draw.
Kasatkina’s First Match After Bye
Kasatkina, seeded 14th, had a bye in the first round and will face American Alycia Parks in her opening match. Parks advanced to the second round after a 6-3, 6-3 win over Andorra’s Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva.
Conclusion
Maya Joint’s victory in Madrid signals the start of what could be a very promising career. Breaking Ash Barty’s record at such a young age shows her potential on the WTA tour. With her next match against Emma Navarro, Joint will look to continue her rise in the tennis world.
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