AUSTRALIAN teenager Maya Joint‘s breakthrough past 12 months rolled on at WTA Tour level by claiming her first senior Grand Slam main draw win in the first round of the US Open. The Aussie 18-year-old defeated German Laura Siegemund 6-4 7-5, and though almost squandering a 5-0 lead in the second set, recomposed herself to take the win.

Joint is an up-and-coming talent on the WTA Tour and after winning her way through qualifying – that included a victory over third seed American Hayley Baptiste – the young gun showed she had nothing to loose against a far more experienced opponent.

Siegemund is a two-time US Open doubles winner and a former Top 30 player. The German – who is currently ranked 94th in the world for singles and sixth for doubles – made Joint work for it, but the Australian was up to the task.

Taking an hour and 40 minutes to get the job done, Joint started the match with a more clinical seven winners to six, and 11 unforced errors to 13, while winning 67 per cent of her second serve points compared to the German’s 40 per cent.

Racing off to a 5-0 lead in the second set, Joint looked set to bagel her opponent, only for Siegemund to come roariing back. The momentum of the match shifted as the German reeled off five consecutive games of her own, only for Joint to snap back into action late and close out the set 7-5.

In the end the players hit the identical amount of winners (15) and unforced errors (24), with Joint’s 60 per cent success rate off both her first and second serve points well clear of Siegemund’s 56 and 48 per cent.

“It’s incredible. I didn’t expect to come this far, I’m lost for words,” Joint said post-match. “I don’t know what to say, it feels great.”

When Siegemund came charging back into contention in the second set, Joint admitted she had a “battle” on her hands, but was able to steady, hold serve in the 11th game of the set, then broke the German the very next game.

“I got very nervous. I felt like my feet weren’t working. I felt like my legs were full of sand. “She definitely made me work for it.”

Joint has risen from 1390th in the world 12 months ago to be 135th entering the US Open. The Aussie was born and raised in Michigan, but opted to represent Australia which is her father’s homeland, relocating to Brisbane last year.

She will set her attention on studying at the University of Texas in the next season, where she will focus on playing US college tennis, while studying psychology and criminology. Up first though, Joint has American 14th seed Madison Keys in the second round, an incredibly tough challenge for the 18-year-old.

“I have no pressure,” Joint said. “I’ve seen Madison Keys play multiple times on television, but obviously never played against her. I’m excited, I think it should be a good match.”

Joint was joined in the second round by fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic who defeated American qualifier Ann Li 6-4 6-4, though qualifiers Kimberly Birrell and Priscilla Hon both bowed out in straight sets against seeds Donna Vekic and Aryna Sabalenka respectively.

AROUND THE COURTS

The biggest shock of the day came when Frenchwoman Clara Burel stormed home after losing the first nine games of the match against former US Open winner Sloane Stephens. Burel trailed 0-6 0-3 midway through the second set, but somehow managed to get back on top, winning 14 of the last 21 games to take out the match 0-6 7-5 7-5.

Third seed and reigning champion Coco Gauff got one back in the United States-France rivalry, destroying Varvara Gracheva 6-2 6-0. There were few surprises on the day, with unfortunately ninth seed Maria Sakkari retiring after 40 minutes for Yafan Wang to advance through to the second round, while recent Monterrey finalist Lulu Sun also had to retire after the first set, which enabled Italian Lucia Bronzetti to move through.

Russian 12th seed Daria Kasatkina ensured there was no surprise run from Romanian Jaqueline Cristian, winning 6-2 6-4 in an hour and 15 minutes against the reigning quarter finalist. Closer to home, 16-year-old Iva Jovic stunned Poland’s Magda Linette 6-4 6-3 to reach the Round of 64.