Aussie hopeful Emerson Jones faced a tough day at the office, denied the chance to go one better than her final run last year as she lost her junior semi-final singles match to fourth-seed Japanese player Sonobe Wakana 6-3 6-4.
Jones also faced defeat in the doubles final match with her British partner Hannah Klugman, losing to twin sisters and sixth-seeded Americans Annika Penickova and Kristina Penickova, 6-4 6-2.
Wakana was in fine form, after also defeating Tahlia Kokkinis yesterday.
Click here to watch live tennis on Stan Sport.
The fourth-seed was simply unstoppable, hitting 25 winners, including eight aces.
Wakana started the match breaking in the second game to go up 2-0 and swiftly raced to a 4-1 lead. She continued with the momentum to lead 5-3 and have the opportunity to serve out the match. And serve it out she did, hitting two forehand winners and taking her first set point opportunity with an ace to hold to love and wrap up the set.
The second set began with the two players exchanging breaks to make it 2-2. The Japanese star then raced ahead, breaking and consolidating in a long game to go up 4-2. Jones continued to fight to stay within reach of the set, but once again, Wakana had the opportunity to serve the set out, up 5-4. In a long game, the fourth seed capitalised off her second match point with a forehand forced error off the Jones racquet to cause the upset and take the match.
With the win, Wakana has set up her second straight Junior Grand Slam final against sixth-seeded American Kristina Penickova.
Jones returned to the court later on with British partner Hannah Klugman as the second-seeded duo for the junior girls' doubles final against twin sisters and sixth-seeded Americans Annika Penickova and Kristina Penickova (who is also in the singles finals).
Jones and Klugman raced to a 2-0 lead in the first set, forcing errors off the American's racquets. The twins held their nerve and used the deuce deciding point to take the set.
The Americans carried the momentum into the second set, breaking the Klugman serve to edge in front at 2-1. But Jones and Klugman broke right back to equalise at 2-2. The twins, however, then broke the Jones serve with a backhand winner to take the lead once again.
From there, the twins were formidable. They used aggression to take opportunities away from the second-seeds, going up 5-2 on another deuce deciding point. The final game also went to a deuce deciding point, but a forehand unforced error into the net from Jones secured the victory for the Penickova's, 6-4 6-2.
Your Ultimate Tennis Destination! 🎾
Tennis Direct Australia is more than just a store - Australia’s #1 online tennis retailer, bringing you world-class brands, unbeatable value, and exceptional customer service to support your love for the game.
👉 Shop now at www.tennisdirect.com.au with a 15% storewide discount code: SERVE15, Valid until 31/12/2025 excludes clearance items, machines, court equipment and gift cards.
Commentaires