Rising Aussie star compared to Ash Barty falls agonisingly short of breaking 29-year-old hoodoo at Australian Open
- Emerson Jones, 15, lost the junior girls final to Renata Jamrichova
- The Slovakian top seed recorded a 6-4, 6-1 victory in 61 minutes
- The last local to win the junior title was Siobhan Drake-Brockman in 1995
A rising star, compared in some quarters to former world No. 1 Ash Barty, has fallen painfully short in her quest for glory at the Australian Open.
Gold Coast-raised Emerson Jones wanted to emulate Siobhan Drake-Brockman’s 1995 feat but was defeated in straight sets by Slovakia’s top seed Renata Jamrichova in the junior girls’ singles final on Saturday.
The win would make Jones, 15, the first local player in 29 years to win silverware.
Poor serving at times and repeated unforced errors proved to be Jones’ downfall, with Jamrichova producing flawless tennis to show why she is a name to remember.
In a touching moment after the match, the girls shared a hug on Jones’ team bench ahead of the trophy presentation.
Emerson Jones wanted to become the first local player to win the Australian Open junior girls’ singles title since Siobhan Drake-Brockman in 1995
Slovakian top seed Renata Jamrichova proved to be a class above and won in straight sets
Poor serving at times and repeated unforced errors proved to be Emerson Jones’ downfall
Commentator Jess Webster spoke for many fans when she labeled the hug a “beautiful moment.”
The Australian was also modest in his defeat, praising the Rod Laver Arena crowd.
“Thank you to everyone who supported me all week,” Jones said.
‘It was a great experience with all the support…and congratulations to Renata, you definitely deserved it.’
After winning her quarter-final and semi-final on Australia Day, Jones eventually ran out of steam, with Jamrichova quickly taking advantage.
Jones comes from elite sporting genes: her mother Loretta Harrop won silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics in the triathlon and her father was a champion AFL player in Queensland.
Good judges have also touted her older brother Hayden as someone to watch on the court.