Jones triumphs, but Nahum's historic junior Slam debut ends in despair
The second day of the Australian Open Junior Championships is a day that Gloriana Nahum, making her Grand Slam debut, will probably want to forget.
The 17-year-old who is the first girl from Benin (population 13 million) to play in the main draw singles at a Junior Grand Slam, turned in a credible and fighting performance out on court 14 against Yuliya Perapekhina but a fall in the second set ultimately, and sadly, forced her to retire.
Nahum had treatment and strapping on her left ankle and showed great spirit to briefly continue but at a set down and trailing 5-2 in the second set tie break, she was unable to move freely and looked in serious pain.
She fought on to force tie-break but was forced to concede the match 6-4, 6-6, unable to walk let alone play and was taken off court in a wheelchair for treatment, the stands now empty of spectators and a slight rain starting to fall. It was as sad an ending to a debut as they come.
It had been a forceful and first rate baseline contest, with the 15-year-old Perapekhina, an impressive and hard-hitting lefty making good use of her blistering forehand although neither player ventured to the net almost all match.
The girls’ vast crowd of the day came also on Court 3 where Emerson Jones from Australia’s Gold Coast faced Daria Egorova, 16-years-old and ranked 83.
The match followed on immediately from the Cruz Hewitt debut which attracted a full house on the 3,000 seater arena. This time however there was a home victory, Jones winning 7-6(4) 6-4 in front of around 1500 spectators.
“There were still a good few people there, the crowd doesn’t really bother me in a match. I enjoy them,” she said. “There’s no pressure on me, I just go out and try my best on every point and everyone knows I try, so no pressure at all.
“I don’t put pressure on myself (either) because I am playing very good girls.”
To reach Saturday’s final will call for six matches in seven days for the 15-year-old who lost in the second round in Melbourne a year ago.
“I don’t really think about how many matches I have until the final, I play it game by game and stay in the moment,” she said.
Perhaps such focus accounted for her not picking out her 16-year-old brother Hayden (who won his first round Juniors encounter in Saturday) in the court 3 crowd.
“No I did not see him,” Jones said, but support was bountiful regardless. “My parents were there, my coach and my fitness trainer and my grandma, as well my uncle.”
The target of Saturday’s final looms however.
“Rod Laver Arena (for the final) would be really cool because I train sometimes on Pat Rafter Area in Brisbane and it’s similar.“
And she is the form player within the 64-player draw, winning the major AO warm-up event in Traralgon last week, a huge achievement.
“I played pretty well last week and hope to keep my level this week, it gives me confidence.”
The other players will not be looking her way as a result of her current achievement, she feels.
"Everyone plays for themselves, I just play my opponent, whoever is in front of me.”
The distractions at the Open she says are many. There simply isn’t time to worry.
“The Australian Open is my favourite grand slam. It’s fun, has the crowds and it’s just so colourful.
“It’s really cool.”