Australia has “got a good one” in teenager Emerson Jones.
Those were the words of Emma Navarro after the American ended the 17-year-old’s Adelaide International campaign in the first round on Monday.
Navarro, who next week will play as the eighth seed in the women’s singles draw at the Australian Open, overcame Jones 6-3, 6-3.
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But Jones, who’s repeatedly been touted as Australian tennis’ “next big thing”, again showed signs of her enormous promise in Adelaide.
She showed superb court coverage to hold serve when trailing 5-1 in the second set.
Then came a pulverising forehand winner to break Navarro’s serve and reduce the second-set deficit to 5-3.
Emerson Jones of Australia celebrates winning a point during this month’s Brisbane International. Getty
“[It was a] tough contest today,” Navarro, a winner of two WTA singles titles, said in her on-court interview.
“I think you guys got a good one in Emerson. She challenged me a good bit and I think she’s going to be a really great player. I’ll be following and rooting for her success.”
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Jones is set for her second appearance in an Australian Open main draw, having again secured a wildcard.
Australian women’s tennis has struggled since the shock retirement of Ash Barty in 2022, at the age of only 25.
But in Jones, Maya Joint, Talia Gibson, Taylah Preston and Olivia Gadecki, Australia has a promising crop of youngsters who could take the women’s game Down Under back to the top of world tennis.
Gadecki won an Australian Open qualifier on Monday, beating Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus 6-2, 6-4.
Australia’s Tina Smith also grabbed a win in Australian Open qualifying, overcoming Canada’s Cadence Brace 7-6(5), 7-6(6).
Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic claimed the first set of her opening-round Adelaide International match 7-6(5) before her opponent, Denmark’s Clara Tauson, bowed out injured.
Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis will take on American Sebastian Korda in Adelaide on Monday night.
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