Maya Joint Shocks Raducanu in Epic Eastbourne Clash
What a match we’ve just witnessed at the Eastbourne International – and what a name to remember: Maya Joint. If you haven’t heard of her before, it’s time to take note. The 19-year-old Australian, ranked outside the top 600 earlier this year, just delivered one of the most thrilling and composed performances of her young career, knocking out former US Open champion Emma Raducanu in a dramatic three-set battle: 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4).
Raducanu came into this match with confidence after a gritty first-round win and looked strong early on, using her serve effectively to take the opening set. But Maya Joint wasn’t rattled. In fact, she seemed to grow stronger as the match wore on, dominating the second set with aggressive play and fearless shot-making. Her backhand, in particular, was a weapon, and she wasn’t afraid to go for the lines.
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The final set? Pure theatre. Joint broke early and held a 5-2 lead, seemingly cruising toward the finish line. But Raducanu, ever the fighter, clawed her way back with two sensational breaks. At 5-5, the momentum looked to be swinging. Joint had multiple chances to serve it out – not once, not twice, but three times – and each time, Raducanu broke back. It was the kind of back-and-forth that has you holding your breath.
Then came the tie-break. It started with tension, nerves, and some scrappy points from both sides. A cruel net cord at 4-4 handed Joint the edge, and from there, she never looked back. She sealed the win with an ace – a perfect full stop on a statement victory.
Credit to Raducanu, who showed real resilience and spirit in the decider. But questions still linger about her fitness. She’s been managing a back issue, and while she never called the trainer, she appeared frustrated and physically drained at moments. With Wimbledon just around the corner, she’ll be looking to regroup and reset quickly.
As for Maya Joint – this isn’t just a win. It’s a breakout moment. From the composure she showed in the key moments, to her raw talent and aggressive mindset, she played with the maturity of someone well beyond her years. She’ll now face Anna Blinkova in the quarter-finals and make her Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon in just a few days. Not bad for someone who started 2024 ranked 684 in the world.
Today, she didn’t just beat Emma Raducanu. She announced herself to the tennis world.
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