Maya Joint wins Eastbourne title in lead-up to Wimbledon 2025
History repeated for her with another pre-grand slam title, but the American-born teenager plans on hanging around a little longer at the All England Club. The draw did Joint no favours, with 19th-seeded Russian Liudmila Samsonova waiting for her.
'I think this time is a tiny bit different. I get one more day of rest, and I'll just detach myself a little bit more from the last match and just focus on that match coming up,' Joint said.
Joint with her trophy. Credit: Getty Images
'I took a look at the draw, so I know who I'm playing, but I've never played her before, so I don't know much about her.'
Joint's graduation from grasscourt novice was as swift as her rise into the world's top 50. She lost in the first round of Nottingham qualifying on grass last week to an opponent ranked outside the top 100, then reportedly struggled in practice with last year's winner Daria Kasatkina in Eastbourne before the tournament.
'She was a bit depressed on the practice,' Kasatkina said.
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'But everyone saw she also won the title in Rabat this year. She has great potential. She's also a very nice girl, a hard-working girl. She's got everything, and I'm happy for her having this success so early.'
Joint, who switched allegiances to Australia two years ago, and Russian top-tenner Mirra Andreeva will be the only teenagers ranked in the WTA Tour's top 50 on Monday as she continues to set the standard for an emerging group of Australian women's players.
Sixteen-year-old Emerson Jones is the world junior No.1 and lost in final-round qualifying for Wimbledon, while Talia Gibson, 21, went one better in booking her main draw debut at SW19.
'[Maya]'s doing absolutely amazing right now, and I'm so incredibly happy for her, and it's so awesome to see the progress she's made, even in the last year,' Gibson said.
'I think it drives us all. We're such a close group of girls, and super supportive of each other – always having the chance to train with each other and push each other to the limit as well, so we're really lucky to have such an amazing group of girls.
'It's amazing to see how many of us are in the main draw, and I hope that continues for a long time to come still. It's really exciting for me to be here amongst it all for the first time.'
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Meanwhile, No.20 seed Alexei Popyrin will headline eight Australians in action on the first day of Wimbledon on Monday, including Gibson, Olivia Gadecki, Chris O'Connell, Jordan Thompson, Ajla Tomljanovic, James Duckworth and Kim Birrell.
After a slow start to the year and coaching change from Xavier Malisse to Wayne Ferreira, Popyrin is ready to build upon his career-best run to the round of 32 in London last year after making the last 16 at Roland-Garros.
The 25-year-old brushed off a self-confessed case of 'impostor syndrome' to regain form.
'From the start of the claycourt season, I felt like I belonged [again],' Popyrin said.
'I know I've done the work. I know I've beaten players, and I deserve to be where I am right now … [but] it's easy to go down a little spiral when results aren't going your way, but from the claycourt season, it's been quite positive for myself.'
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The Advertiser
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Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. "She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter," said the 22-year-old from Gosford. "I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her." 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Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. "She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter," said the 22-year-old from Gosford. "I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her." The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 - reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. "I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward," she added. "I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. "Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love." In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory. 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The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 - reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. "I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward," she added. "I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. "Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love." In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
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Im went nearer the pin but eight feet long, setting up Lee for the winning putt. "Bummer to miss the last one in the playoff to force another hole, but very happy how we played," Khang said. Thompson has not won since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019 and decided last summer to no longer play a full schedule. The Dow Championship was her eighth tournament this year. Im and Lee are in their second year on the LPGA Tour and this was their first title in America, though both were prolific winners on the Korea LPGA. Im has won six times on the KLPGA, while Lee has five KLPGA titles. "I can't believe it," Lee said after making her winning putt. Lindy Duncan and Miranda Wang had a 59 in the better-ball format and tied for third, two shots out of the playoff. They were joined by Manon De Roey and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who teamed up for a 64. Albane Valenzuela and Sarah Schmelzel, who had the 54-hole lead, closed with a 66 and failed to make birdie over the final seven holes. They finished fifth, three shots behind. The Dow Championship is the only official team event on the LPGA schedule. Somi Lee has poured in an eight-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to team with fellow South Korean Jin Hee Im to win the Dow Championship, denying Lexi Thompson her first LPGA title in six years. Thompson's partner, Megan Khang, had a chance to extend the playoff on Sunday, but she missed a five-foot birdie putt that was on the low side of the hole from the start. Thompson made an eight-foot birdie putt on the par-3 18th hole, with Khang still facing a six-foot birdie attempt, as the American duo closed with a 10-under 60 in the fourballs format. They were the first to post at 20-under 260. Lee made a 10-foot birdie putt to tie for the lead on the 17th. Im and Lee missed birdie chances on the 18th in regulation for the win. The playoff switched to foursomes. Thompson hit the tee shot on the 18th to just five feet right of the cup. Im went nearer the pin but eight feet long, setting up Lee for the winning putt. "Bummer to miss the last one in the playoff to force another hole, but very happy how we played," Khang said. Thompson has not won since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019 and decided last summer to no longer play a full schedule. The Dow Championship was her eighth tournament this year. Im and Lee are in their second year on the LPGA Tour and this was their first title in America, though both were prolific winners on the Korea LPGA. Im has won six times on the KLPGA, while Lee has five KLPGA titles. "I can't believe it," Lee said after making her winning putt. Lindy Duncan and Miranda Wang had a 59 in the better-ball format and tied for third, two shots out of the playoff. They were joined by Manon De Roey and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who teamed up for a 64. Albane Valenzuela and Sarah Schmelzel, who had the 54-hole lead, closed with a 66 and failed to make birdie over the final seven holes. They finished fifth, three shots behind. The Dow Championship is the only official team event on the LPGA schedule. Somi Lee has poured in an eight-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to team with fellow South Korean Jin Hee Im to win the Dow Championship, denying Lexi Thompson her first LPGA title in six years. Thompson's partner, Megan Khang, had a chance to extend the playoff on Sunday, but she missed a five-foot birdie putt that was on the low side of the hole from the start. Thompson made an eight-foot birdie putt on the par-3 18th hole, with Khang still facing a six-foot birdie attempt, as the American duo closed with a 10-under 60 in the fourballs format. They were the first to post at 20-under 260. Lee made a 10-foot birdie putt to tie for the lead on the 17th. Im and Lee missed birdie chances on the 18th in regulation for the win. The playoff switched to foursomes. Thompson hit the tee shot on the 18th to just five feet right of the cup. 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They finished fifth, three shots behind. The Dow Championship is the only official team event on the LPGA schedule.
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
Aussie Molly Picklum goes wild after becoming new world No.1 with WSL title win in Brazil
Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Molly Picklum celebrates her title in Brazil. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. Picklum was chaired off after emerging from the water, letting out a huge yell in excitement of the achievement. 'She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter,' said the 22-year-old from Gosford. 'I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her.' The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 — reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. 'I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward,' she added. 'I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. 'Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love.' In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory.
