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Over to Brisbane now, where teenage sensation Maya Joint’s tune up for her maiden Australian Open has begun in a fashion you’d expect from a youngster blessed with such talent.
There were flashes of brilliance, moments of pure power, stutters and errors, but ultimately an opening round triumph at the Brisbane International for Joint.
Maya Joint in action at the Brisbane International.Credit: Getty Images
The 18-year-old withstood compatriot Maddison Inglis 6-3, 6-4 on Pat Rafter Arena, with her forehand down the line a particularly strong asset throughout the clash.
Joint threatened to stumble, forfeiting a 5-0 first set lead to concede three straight games, courtesy of several unforced errors, but she was constantly searching for the line while working Inglis around the court.
Joint’s victory followed a jibe-filled exhibition match, featuring Australian tennis legends Ash Barty and Pat Rafter.
Ash Barty and Frances Tiafoe in an exhibition match at the Brisbane International.Credit: Getty Images
The pair joined forces with Frances Tiafoe and Ons Jabeur in front of a capacity crowd in a charity showcase to support the Ash Barty Foundation.
Barty cheekily pointed out to Rafter many of the young fans in attendance would never have seen him play, while the former men’s tennis icon joked Tiafoe was out to injure him with his ferocious forehands.
