Teenage wildcard Emerson Jones has scored a coming-of-age victory over Tatjana Maria – a player more than twice her age – in her Brisbane International debut under the lights at Pat Rafter Arena on Monday night.
The 147th-ranked Australian rose to the occasion before her home crowd for her second top-50 win, a 6-3 6-3 victory against the slicing and dicing German veteran some 21 years her senior.
Jones had joked “she has kids and I’m a kid” ahead of the clash but competed with the fearlessness of youth against a style of player whivh she admitted she was not used to facing.
The 75-minute result capped a successful day for her fellow Gold Coast players Kimberly Birrell and Olivia Gadecki, who also reached the second round.
Birrell took down Slovakian qualifier Rebecca Sramkova to set a clash against No.2 seed Amanda Anisimova, while qualifier Gadecki eased past American Ann Li to book a meeting with sixth seed Mirra Andreeva.
“I’m just super happy. This is honestly the best tournament, the best crowd,” a beaming Jones said after she set a clash against 10th seed Liudmila Samsonova. “I’m so happy my family got to come tonight.
“To be honest her game was a bit tricky for my game, but I’m so happy I got it done. She’s an amazing player and very experienced. Obviously, I don’t have that experience yet but I’m super happy with how I played.”
Jones struck 35 winners – more than double her opponent’s 11 – and 18 unforced errors, while she broke on six of seven opportunities.
Top seed Medvedev clears Hungarian hurdle under lights
Former world No.1 Daniil Medvedev understands any new relationship takes time to build rapport.
After opting to keep on former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson into 2026, the signs are already promising for the burgeoning partnership following a hasty opening victory over Marton Fucsovics at the Brisbane International on Monday night.
Johannson was added to the fray ahead of last year’s Asian swing and the arrangement quickly bore success after Medvedev ended a title drought of more than two years in Kazakhstan.
The Swede, a champion at Melbourne Park in 2002, had every reason to nod his approval after his charge cruised past Hungarian Fucsovics 6-2 6-3 at Pat Rafter Arena. That rapport continued to build.
“Honestly [it’s been] great because last year when we started it was kind of a test period,” Medvedev said. “We had end of the season to see if it would work out or not or if I’d want to change, but it was working great in terms of results and in terms of relationship.
“Off court and on court we understand each other. [We’ll] keep working hard and was a great pre-season so looking forward to the season.”
The 69-minute win improved his ledger against Fucsovics to 5-1 and set a showdown with former world No.10 Frances Tiafoe, a 6-2 6-2 winner over local Aleksandar Vukic a day prior.
“I tried to play with the same score [as Tiafoe’s result] and then I lost my serve serving for the match, so I was a bit disappointed,” he said. “I wanted to go to the match with exactly the same conditions as him.
“Frances is a great player. Always tough to play against him. I’m sure he doesn’t want to play me either so I’m looking forward to a great match. It’ll be a lot of fun.”
Earlier, French qualifier Quentin Halys extended his unbeaten run to 3-0 and a third different surface against Australian Alexei Popyrin.
Having previously beaten the world No.50 on clay and grass, the 29-year-old added a hard-court win at Pat Rafter Arena, 5-7 6-3 6-4.
Defending champ Lehecka picks up where he left off
Jiri Lehecka feels it’s great to be tested early in his Brisbane International title defence but even better to come out on top after withstanding the threat of compatriot Tomas Machac on Monday.
While only 13 months apart in age, two of the brightest Czech prospects had never squared off until their first-round showdown at Pat Rafter Arena.
The reigning champion did not have it all his own way against the world No.32 but after two hours and 24 minutes closed out a 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 victory, his first of 2026.
“I’m very happy to be back on this court is just amazing. I remember last year it’s been one of the best moments of my life here, so I’m very grateful to be back,” the No.3 seed said.
“It’s never easy. We know each other for so many years since we were kids. We actually practised together a lot before coming here to Brisbane. These matches are never easy but yeah, it’s been a great match. I think the level was high for the first match of the season for both of us … I’m on my way again.”
A triumphant start to last season at the Queensland Tennis Centre was not the first time Lehecka had landed a trophy Down Under.
A year before, he held off Jack Draper for his maiden title in Adelaide. Something about Australia worked in the 24-year-old’s favour.
“I would like to know that as well, but I think the weather, the people and the court conditions,” he said after he booked a second-round meeting against American Sebastian Korda. “There’s just something I’m looking forward to every year when we’re starting the year in Australia. I think there is no better place to start the season than here.”
Earlier, Kimberly Birrell relished her return to Pat Rafter Arena where she ground out a 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory over Slovak qualifier Rebecca Sramkova.
A year ago, Birrell opened with a bang when she saw off No.2 seed Emma Navarro en route to her maiden WTA 500 quarterfinal and on Sunday she kept hopes alive of a repeat last-eight appearance at her home training base.
“So special, I just love being here. I love playing here and it means the world to me,” Birrell said. “I feel so grateful to come from such an amazing state and I just feel all the love, all the time.”
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