Rolling coverage of the 2025 Hobart International
Aussie young gun Maya Joint is on fire at the Hobart International after winning through to her first WTA Tour semi-final. See the latest here.
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Day four of the Hobart International will see plenty of exciting action.
Keep up to date with all of the action in our rolling coverage.
SEMI-FINALS TAKE SHAPE
Aussie teenager Maya Joint has continued her breakthrough tournament at the Hobart International after winning through to the semi-finals.
The 18-year-old, who was born in America, stunned 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin in straight sets on Thursday afternoon in straight sets 6-3 6-1.
Speaking on court post-match, Joint simply said she had “no” expectation of playing this well this week.
“I’m just so excited to be in the semis, I just can’t wait to play,” she said.
“I just take it one match at a time, one point at a time. Try to play the best I can.
“It’s crazy, I feel great right now.
While the first set was a tight affair early, a break in the fourth game of the match allowed Joint to take control of the contest.
She would win nine of the next 12 games to storm into the semis, her first at WTA level.
In what was arguably the biggest win of her career to date, Joint was quick to downplay the achievement.
“I think I played really well,” she said.
“She (Kenin) definitely tested me. She hit the ball very flat.”
Joint wasn’t finished for the day either, set to play a doubles quarter-final alongside Talia Gibson during the night session.
Earlier in the day, McCartney Kessler booked her place in the final four after beating number one seed Dayana Yastremska in straight sets 7-5 6-4 in a tough match.
Supported by her parents and four family friends in the crowd, an excited Kessler was soaking in the moment.
“It feels great, I’m excited to have won today and happy to live another day,” she said.
“She’s (Yastremska) a great player, I try not to look at the seeding of the draws too much and just focus on the game plan.”
The day started on somewhat of a sour note when no.3 seed Amanda Anisimova was forced to withdraw.
The American pulled out through illness, handing Armenian Elina Avanesyan a walkover into the semis.
ANISIMOVA FORCED TO WITHDRAW FROM THURSDAY’S QUARTER FINALS
The Hobart International’s quarter finals line up for Thursday has copped a blow with no.3 seed Amanda Anisimova forced to withdraw.
The American has pulled out through illness, handing Armenian Elina Avanesyan a walkover into the semis.
All four quarter finals will be played on Thursday, with Ukrainian no.1 one seed Dayana Yastremska beginning proceedings against American McCartney Kessler.
Amanda Anisimova is next up against Elina Avanesyan, before former champion Sofia Kenin takes on Aussie young gun Maya Joint.
Two-time winner Elise Mertens is last on court against Veronika Kudermetova in the night session.
AUSSIE YOUNG GUN THROUGH TO THE QUARTERS
Aussie rising star Maya Joint is quickly catching the attention of the tennis world.
The 18-year-old secured the best win of her young career after upsetting Hobart International fourth seed and world No.38 Magda Linette on Wednesday afternoon in straight sets 6-1 6-1.
In the best win of her career, the American-born prospect dominated from start to finish with the Stan Sport commentator declaring “she is a frightening prospect and no one will want to face her” post-match.
Joint’s win has now set up a WTA Tour quarter-final debut where she will face 2020 Australian Open grand slam winner Sofia Kenin.
Kenin booked her place in the final eight after a 6-2 3-6 6-2 win over Anna Blinkova.
After the match, Joint said she was looking forward to continuing the opportunity she has created for herself.
“I feel great, I played really great today,” she said.
“I think it helped I play a match on this court yesterday (Tuesday), I got used to the conditions, got used to the surroundings.
“I’m excited to play another match. I think I’ve been playing really well.
“Just keep seeing if I can play the way I have been.”
Playing in Hobart for the first time, after featuring at the Brisbane International last week, Joint said she was enjoying every minute of the experience.
“It means the world to mean,” she said.
“It’s so nice to play in my home country. So many people came today, the stands were almost full, I really felt the support.”
In other second round results no.2 seed Elise Mertens’ quest for a third title remains alive after the Belgian won a tough two set contest against Mexico’s Renata Zarazua 6-4 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Another former champion Sofia Kenin is through to the last eight after a 6-2 3-6 6-2 win over Anna Blinkova, no.1 seed Dayana Yastremska also required three sets to defeat Ann Li 1-6 7-5 6-2 and American no.3 seed Anna Anisimova disposed of Anna Bondar 6-3 6-4.
A HUGE DAY AWAITS
Places in the quarter-finals of the Hobart International will go on the line today with a series of exciting match ups set to take place.
Aussie rising star Maya Joint will be first up on centre court when she takes on fourth seed Magda Linette.
Their game will be followed by top seed Dayana Yastremska who faces off against American Ana Li.
The first games of the day will be on the west court, where Sofia Kenin takes on Anna Blinkova, while on court 8. Maria Lourdes Carle and McCartney Kessler will do battle.
MONOPOLY DEAL THE WAY FORWARD?
Rising Australian tennis prospect Maya Joint might not have much time for a new off court hobby if her promising start to the season continues.
The 18-year-old won through to the last 16 of the Hobart International on Tuesday afternoon with a straight sets win over Serbia’s Olga Danilovic, the world No.53.
It marked another promising moment in the early stages of the American born right-hander’s career after she beat fellow Aussie Maddison Inglis at the Brisbane International before losing to former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka.
Speaking post-match in Tasmania, Joint said playing Monopoly Deal with her team had been key in her preparation in recent weeks.
“My team and I play a lot of cards, before matches, after matches to fill the day,” Joint said.
“We started a season tally and I’m losing so I need to get back in it.
“I played really well today. Everything just seemed to work.”
With three WTA Tour career wins to her name, the third highest ranked female Aussie said she is starting to find more confidence.
Joint enjoyed a stunning season in 2024, rising up the rankings to the top-125 after starting the year 684th.
“It feels good it wasn’t a one-time, two-time fluke. (It shows that) I can do it again,” she said.
“I’m just really glad I’ve been playing well lately.
“It helped me feel that I was at that level. I’ll take confidence from it, try to keep playing the way I’ve been playing.
“I knew I didn’t really have pressure in this match.”
Fan favourite Daria Saville saw her campaign end as it started going down in straight sets to American third seed Amanda Anisimova 6-3 6-3.
Joint enjoyed the conditions in Hobart after teaming up on day one of the competition with fellow Aussie Talia Gibson to win a doubles clash against countrywomen Alexandra Bozovic and Kaylah McPhee in straight sets.
She will now fourth seed Magda Linette for a place in the quarter-finals.
AUSSIE SENSATION THROUGH
Rising Australian tennis star Maya Joint has continued her promising start to the season after winning through to the next round of the Hobart International.
The 18-year-old overcame Serbia’s Olga Danilovic in straight sets 6-2 6-3 on centre court on Tuesday afternoon.
It was an impressive performance from Joint who won 77.4 per cent of her first serve points.
Such was her dominance on serve, Joint did not give up any break point opportunities to Danilovic and managed to win four of her own.
In other matches throughout the day, American wildcard and grand slam champion Sofia Kenin sent fifth seed Lulu Sun of New Zealand packing with a come from behind 4-6 6-3 6-3 win.
Top seed, Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, survived a scare from American Katie Volynets to progressing in three sets.
The 24-year-old prevailed 2-6 6-4 6-1.
In other results, fourth-seed Madga Linette secured a three-set win over Varvara Gracheva of France while Ann Li beat American counterpart Sloane Stephens in straight sets and Anna Binkova prevailed against Bernarda Pera.
AUSSIES HIGHLIGHT DAY TWO ACTION
There will be a strong local flavour in Tuesday’s Hobart International with an Aussie duo on in action.
Rising teenage star Maya Joint will take on Olga Danilović in the second match on centre court before Daria Saville kicks off the night session with a clash against American third seed Amanda Anisimova.
There has been a slight change to the schedule with Lucia Bronzetti replace Clara Tauson who has been forced to withdraw due to injury.
Bronzetti will take on Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina.
DAY ONE COMES TO AN END
2024 semi-final finalist Yue Yuan of China was one of the big names to fall on day one as she went down to Colombia’s Camila Osorio 6-2 6-3.
In the night’s other singles match Veronika Kudermetova moved through to the next round with a straight sets win over Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy.
It comes as shared tournament director Darren Sturgess declared organisers are hoping to see more than 20,000 spectators through the gates this week.
“We had record crowds last year nearly with nearly 17,000. Up until Thursday primary school aged kids go free with a general admission ticket so we’re really encouraging people to come along, bring the family, there’s plenty of off court activities to enjoy,” he said.
DELIGHT FOR AUSSIE YOUNG GUNS
Two of Australia’s most exciting young talents have combined to win through to the next round of the doubles tournament.
Maya Joint and Talia Gibson stormed to a 6-3 6-1 victory over fellow countrywomen Alexandra Bozovic and Kaylah McPhee.
Joint will start her singles campaign on Tuesday, drawn against Olga Danilović of Serbia.
Fan favourite Daria Saville will also be in action when she takes on America’s Amanda Anisimova.
ACTION CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Argentina’s Maria Lourdes Carle picked up an impressive win in her clash with Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain prevailing 6-3 3-6 6-0 in a rollercoaster clash.
Carle had to overcome nine double faults to three to secure the result but capitalised on seven of 11 break point opportunities.
Meanwhile, in the second match on centre court Greet Minnen secured a 7-5 6-3 win over Viktoriya Tomova.
Minnen will now meet Elina Avanesyan in the next round.
RISING STAR KEEN TO BUILD ON HISTORIC 2024
Rising Armenian tennis player Elina Avanesyan is determined to continue building on her historic 2024.
The 22-year-old ramped up her Australian Open preparations with an opening round win at the Hobart International on Monday, securing a straight sets win over China’s Wang Xiyu, 7-6 6-3.
Last year, Avanesyan who was born in Russia to Armenian parents switched her allegiances and in doing so became the first player representing the country to be ranked in the women’s top-100.
Currently sitting at No. 44, she was the first Armenian in the top-500 since Ani Amiraghyan who reached No. 422 in August 2013.
“It is a big moment for me to represent Armenia,” Avanesyan said post-match on Monday.
“I just want to keep improving and do better.”
Avanesyan admitted she can sometimes have a love-hate relationship with the game but said it was a matter of continuing to push forward.
“You always really want to do well but it’s impossible with tennis sometimes,” she said.
“You lose basically every week even if you’re Serena (Williams or Roger) Federer. You have to be prepared for that and sometimes you hate it.
“But you have to get up the next day and keep working and keep dreaming.”
On the lighter side of her preparation, Avanesyan said she didn’t have any pre-match superstitions but did each the same breakfast of poached eggs every day.
“If they work this week, I’ll do it forever,” she joked.
In other opening day matches, seventh seed Rebecca Šramková was sent packing after going down to American McCartney Kessler in straight sets.
Hungary’s Anna Bondár claimed the opening match on centre court with a straight sets win over Egypt’s Mayar Sherif after coming through qualifying.
FIRST MATCHES COMPLETED
The first two games of the Hobart International have been completed and there has already been an upset.
Sixth seed Elina Avanesyan won through in 7-6 6-3 against China’s Wang Xiyu.
There was an early upset with American McCartney Kessler getting the better of Slovakia’s Rebecca Šramková 6-3 7-5.
Kessler’s ability to win five of a possible eight break points was pivotal in the result.
DAY ONE DRAW
CENTRE COURT
[Q] A. Bondar (HUN) vs M. Sherif (EGY)
V. Tomova (BUL) vs [Q] G. Minnen (BEL)
[WC] T. Gibson (AUS) / M. Joint (AUS) vs [WC] A. Bozovic (AUS) / K. McPhee (AUS)
NB 6:30 PM [8] Y. Yuan (CHN) vs C. Osorio (COL)
V. Kudermetova vs E. Cocciaretto (ITA)
WEST COURT
M. Kessler (USA) vs [7] R. Sramkova (SVK)
O. Kalashnikova (GEO) / Q. Tang (CHN) vs [3] S. Kenin (USA) / M. Linette (POL)
M. Kato (JPN) / R. Zarazua (MEX) vs A. Blinkova / M. Sherif (EGY)
T. Moore (GBR) / V. Tomova (BUL) vs A. Moratelli (ITA) / K. Piter (POL)
COURT 8
[Q] Xiy. Wang (CHN) vs [6] E. Avanesyan (ARM)
[Q] M. L. Carle (ARG) vs J. Bouzas Maneiro (ESP)
M. Lumsden (GBR) / A. Siskova (CZE) vs [2] U. Eikeri (NOR) / M. Ninomiya (JPN)
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