Key events
Join us later
Jo Khan
Thanks for joining me, I’ll wrap things up here. But please come back to follow our live blog of the evening session later.
There will be men’s No 2 Jannik Sinner, Britain’s Katie Boulter, women’s No 10 Belinda Bencic, No 16 Naomi Osaka, plus Tsitsipas, Fritz, and Australians Inglis and Birrel going head to head.
Goodbye!
Jack Snape has filed a snap report on Maya Joint from Melbourne Park, with a little detail I hadn’t come across yet … Joint was first the seeded Australian woman since Ash Barty in 2022. So much weight in that statement, so much pressure on such young shoulders.
Heartbreak for Australia on John Cain Arena, but over on Kia Arena it’s a different story. Taylah Preston has just won her first Grand Slam match!!
Preston defeated Shuai Zhang 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.
Speaking after the match the 20-year-old is giddy!
We played each other like two weeks ago and I lost that one in three sets. So obviously I was trying to get it the other way around today, which I’m very happy that I was able to do … Thank you everyone for coming out and supporting. I think it definitely helped me get through the end of that. So thank you very much. And yeah, to have my parents and my sister and my auntie and uncle here as well is really nice. They don’t get to see me play too much live during the year, so it’s great to have them all here.
It’s a shame we won’t see any more of Joint in the singles. But she is pairing up with Storm Hunter in the women’s doubles, so keep an eye out for that.
Would you like some stats? The answer is yes, you would.
Aces: Valentova 6 – Joint 3
Double faults: 6 – 8
Winners: 25 – 19
Return winners: 2 – 4
Unforced errors: 37 – 36
Break points won: 29% – 75%
There’s a taste. Valentova had 17 break points but only won five, where as Joint won three out of four. Joint was better on return winners, and they both suffered from double faults.
Tereza Valentova sends Australia’s top women’s player out of the tournament in the first round. A phenomenal result for the 18-year-old from Czech Republic and huge disappointment for Maya Joint.
I said before the match that Joint has so much more to come. That’s still true. But Valentova has announced herself today, she is dispatching top 30 players left and right.
Valentova wins in straight sets
*Valentova 6-4, 6-4 Joint (30) Will Valentova feel the pressure of serving for the match? The first point goes to Joint thanks to an unforced error. It looks like Valentova is going to run away with it but then Joint’s backhand down the line gets the better of her. Joint sends a shot over the baseline, a bit of panic there?
It’s match point. Valentova clips the net as she goes for an ace. Joint saves the point, forcing the error. Again Joint hits past the baseline, giving Valentova her second match point. And this time it’s a forehand that goes long to give Valentova the win in straight sets.
Valentova 5-4, 6-4 Joint (30)* The sun is streaming straight into Joint’s face as she serves. They have a nice rally to open the ninth game which ends when Valentova tries a drop shot which doesn’t make the distance. Another unforced error puts Joint up 0-30, followed by a backhand down the line to serve for the game. Valentova wins a point but Joint holds comfortably in the end. That’s the best she has looked this set I think.
*Valentova 5-3, 6-4 Joint (30) Unlike Joint, Valentova appears more composed on serve. As I type that she double faults, then follows up with an ace, then double faults again! The serves!! They’re at deuce after Valentova’s backhand goes just long. She serves an ace again, but it’s back to deuce as she hits the net from the baseline. A service winner gets her the advantage and powerful straight backhand seals the game.
Valentova 4-3, 6-4 Joint (30)* It’s impressive tennis from the unseeded Czech against a seeded home player. She is rising above while Joint looks to be buckling under the pressure. Valentova is sending Joint all over the court, forcing errors and finds herself with two break points. Valentova goes for a powerful forehand return but it shoots over and it’s back to deuce. She is showing more emotion as she edges closer to victory in this first round match. It’s not over yet though! Joint saves another break point, takes advantage with a snappy forehand and wins the game with an ace. Maybe I spoke too soon …
*Valentova 4-2, 6-4 Joint (30) Valentova has freshened up and is firing. A couple of lovely winners followed by errors from Joint and she holds the game. Time for new balls.
The Czech is walking back out now. For balance, Valentova is in a white and navy combo courtesy of her sponsor Fila. I’m sure not everyone cares about the outfits, but I do, women and men. Always fun to see what they’er wearing.
Valentova is taking a bathroom break allowing Joint to have a long chat with her team while they wait for her return.
Over on Kia Arena, China’s Shuai Zhang is taking on Australian Taylah Preston. They have a set each (3-6, 6-2) and it’s into the decider.
Valentova 3-2, 6-4 Joint (30)* Joint again loses the first point of her service game with an unforced error. It’s unforced errors galore! Come on ladies. There is more shot variation which is nice though. Some slicing and movement at the net. Joint takes the first advantage with a confident backhand, but it’s back to deuce as she is caught flat-footed. Valentova forces the error and then breaks again offering a shout and fist pump. About time we heard a bit more noise.
*Valentova 2-2, 6-4 Joint (30) I blinked and Valentova stormed through that game. We’re approaching an hour of play on John Cain Arena.
Jack Snape
QUEUE UPDATE!
At the entrance on the northern side of the Melbourne Park precinct, adjacent to the closest tram stop, queues were building.
Just after 11am, they stretched more than 50 metres, though staff noted they were flowing much better than Monday.
Patrons, too, appeared in a good mood. Those at the front of the lines said they had to wait barely 10 minutes to reach the security checkpoint.
The temperature is due to peak in the mid-20s on Tuesday, promising a comfortable day for ground pass holders.
Valentova 1-2, 6-4 Joint (30)* Joint looks more nervous when she’s serving. But she saves first break point by rushing forward and applying some pressure. The pressure reverses though and she loses the game with a double fault.
*Valentova 0-2, 6-4 Joint (30) The Czech starts with a zippy ace down the middle, before losing the second point by sending her shot just past the baseline. Some unforced errors from Valentova and Joint has break point. She rushes up and flails, hitting the ball unnecessarily hard over the baseline. Valentova gives us a shout as she takes advantage. But Joint keeps the game alive with a lovely backhand down the line! Valentova hits the net and Joint has break point. Oh she wraps up the game nicely as Valentova’s backhand finds the net again.
Valentova 0-1, 6-4 Joint (30)* Second set starts with a wonderful point from Joint who runs forward to reach Valentova’s drop shot and calmy sends the ball back past her down the line. At the first deuce, Joint hits Valentova’s return into the net. Valentova hits an unforced error.
Another display of frustration from Joint as Valentova gets the advantage again. Another unforced error and its back to deuce (3). Another double fault! Joint is scrambling around the court, Valentova commanding things from the baseline, but also squandering some opportunities. Joint holds!
Valentova wins first set 6-4
*Valentova 6-4 Joint (30)
Valentova is serving for the first set. They have had four double faults each so far this match, Valentova getting her fourth now. A cry of “yes” escapes Valentova as sets up two set points. And the first set is hers with an ace! It’s all about the serves this morning on John Cain Arena.
Valentova 5-4 Joint (30)* Valentova opens things up, sending Joint sprawling on the baseline before smashing a volley to take the first point. Valentova has three break points, and now it’s Joint’s turn to come to the net. She saves one break point but Valentova hangs on to break again.
*Valentova 4-4 Joint (30) Valentova is dominating on serve in the eighth game. Joint has been strong on return but hasn’t found the same accuracy this game. She fires a forehand return into the net and Valentova holds.
Valentova 3-4 Joint (30)* Valentova responds to Joint’s first serve with a sharp forehand that she can’t reach. But Joint comes back with a classy ace. Which is followed by a double fault … and Valentova has break point. Joint claws back two break points, takes the advantage thanks to an unforced error and holds the game aided by the ball skimming the net and dropping short of Valentova, which Joint apologises for.
*Valentova 3-3 Joint (30) Joint powers back a forehand winner off Valentova’s slower second serve. Valentova double faults, then makes it 15-30 with a well-placed second serve. Valentova doubles again! Giving Joint the break point.
And Joint pushes to the net and breaks back! We are 22 minutes in.
Valentova 3-2 Joint (30)* Joint shows a bit of frustration after a few unforced errors give Valentova two break points. The Australian looks like she is feeling the pressure on serve. Valentova gets the break.
*Valentova 2-2 Joint (30) Valentova aces the first point. Joint is increasingly darting around the court with more speed and confidence, winning the second point. But Valentova then holds the game comfortably.
Valentova 1-2 Joint (30)* Back on serve and Joint appears to have shaken off some of the cobwebs and is moving a bit more smoothly. She smashes a forehand to wrap up the third game 0-40.
*Valentova 1-1 Joint (30) Joint takes the first point in response, but then overhits to give Valentova the second. A 180kmh ace from the Czech puts her up 30-15. Unforced error and a double fault give Joint the break point, which she seals with a snappy backhand. It’s one game all.
QUIET PLEASE. PLAY!
Valentova 1-0 Joint (30)* Joint goes bang and starts off with an ace, but then loses the second to a double fault. Lovely clean hitting in this first game. Valentova loses her first break point. At deuce, Joint double faults again. Valentova can’t convert the second break point either, with Joint amping up the aggression at the net. A nice lob secures Valentova her third break point and she wraps up the first game with a forehand winner.
*Denotes server
It’s crowd record after crowd record in Melbourne. Will day three continue the trend?
Here comes the Ginger Ninja* in hot pink from head to toe plus those trademark sunnies.
*Joint chose the nick name, not me.
View from Melbourne Park
Jack Snape
Queues for entry have been flowing freely at Melbourne Park on Tuesday morning, even if there are still tens of thousands on the site.
One family whose father spoke to the Guardian said his wife and two children were pleasantly surprised after the reports of recent days. They arrived at the Olympic Boulevard entry at 10.12am and were inside within two minutes.
They found the AO shop too crowded and were unable to get into John Cain Arena for Maya Joint’s match.
The stadium once known as “the people’s court” now has a reduced proportion of unreserved tickets. However, the family walked straight into Kia Arena and are now watching Taylah Preston’s match. There are plenty of seats available, but most are in the sun.
Storm Hunter will be playing doubles with Joint later and had a few kind words to share with Channel Nine this morning:
She had an incredible last year. She’s still so young and everything for her is a new experience which is amazing. And what she achieved I think is just incredible. And she’s actually my doubles partner this week, so I’m really excited to be playing doubles with with Maya, and she’s going to be a little bit nervous for her first match this morning, but she’s a quality player. She moves so well on the court, so really excited to see how she goes.
(Hunter says she has a book club going during the tournament. Love it!)
Back to Joint! Who is minutes away from taking to the court.
The 19-year-old blazed on to the scene in 2024, winning her first grand slam match at the US Open and eyeing a spot in the Top 100. Things exploded from there – she went to win her first WTA title in May last year, climbed the rankings and is now Australia’s top women’s player at No 30 in the world.
This is her sixth grand slam, but only her FIRST as a seeded player! Whatever we see today, you can be sure there is so much more to come for this young Australian.
Recap: Australia on day two
OK. Recapping yesterday’s Australian results.
After his initial opponent Matteo Berrettini withdrew, Alex de Minaur faced a slightly lower first hurdle to start his Open. Lucky loser American Mackenzie McDonald got the call-up and as predicted De Minaur dispatched him easily – following up with a strong statement of intent for the tournament. Jack Snape was at Rod Laver Arena for the match:
Earlier in the day the effervescent Storm Hunter made a winning return to the AO after serious injury, defeating Spaniard Jessica Bouzas 6-4, 6-4. Priscilla Hon and Jordan Thompson also won through to the second round, but youngster Emerson Jones went out and Alexei Popyrin was devestated to fall short in the first round.
The big global stories from day two (I’ll get to the Aussies in a sec) were Novak Djokovic winning his 100th Australian Open match, a feat he has also achieved at Wimbledon and Roland Garros. Check out tennis correspondent Tumaini Carayol’s report from the match at Rod Laver Arena:
But there was a more sombre tone to the day due to a number of retirements, include men’s seventh seed Félix Auger‑Aliassime. We unpack all of that here:
Plus Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu powered through to the second round.
Preamble
Jo Khan
Hello and good morning from sunny Melbourne!
Welcome to day three of the Australian Open where there are nine Australians in action in the singles, plus Rinky Hijikata and Tristan Schoolkate in the men’s doubles. Our match of the day session, which I’ll be bringing to you game-by-game very soon, is Australian No 1 Maya Joint v Tereza Valentova of Czech Republic on John Cain Arena.
The 19-year-old Joint was born in the US but switched her allegiances to her father’s country of birth after not getting the support she was after in the US system. And of course Australia is more than happy to claim the bourgeoning tennis star. What’s in store for her second Australian Open.
It’s currently 21C in Melbourne, on its way to a top of 28C. Perfect Australian Open conditions? I think so.
Play starts at 11am AEDT. Let’s get into it!
