Australian Open 2025: Emotional Jodie Burrage sets up Coco Gauff showdown as Harriet Dart battles through
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An emotional Jodie Burrage won her first ever main-draw match at the Australian Open as she beat Leolia Jeanjean to set up a blockbuster clash with Coco Gauff. The 25-year-old admitted ahead of the tournament that she had considered walking away from the sport in recent months after a string of injury problems, but she enjoyed one of the biggest wins of her career with a 6-2 6-4 victory over the French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean.
Burrage will be joined in the second round by British compatriot Harriet Dart, who is a lucky loser in the main draw after Marketa Vondrousova withdrew. Dart appeared to be battling injury problems during a gruelling encounter that lasted more than three hours, but saved two match points on her way to a 7-5 2-6 7-6 (10-7) win over Jana Fett.
Earlier in the day, Burrage covered her face with her hands as the emotion of the moment caught up with her after her final forehand dribbled over the net, before sobbing into her towel. It was her first match at a grand slam since a first-round defeat here last year, with Burrage suffering a wrist injury in February that needed surgery before rupturing an ankle ligament just as she was about to make her comeback.
"I think I was really nervous for this match, even last night," said a beaming Burrage, who faces a formidable challenge next against third seed Coco Gauff. "I have not had that in a while. I think, because I know I have been playing some good tennis, I know what a good opportunity today was. I knew the hard work that went in for the last year. All of those emotions from the last nine months I think were bottled up in there.
