British underdog Jody Burrage has vowed to “take it” to the “best player in the world” after being handed a center bill for his Australian Open third seed Coco Gauff in the night session at Rod Laver Arena.
Burrage was emotional at his end Leolia Zhanjini won in the first round on Monday Contemplated retirement at the end of last season as he battled his way back from wrist and ankle injuries.
The 25-year-old already has experience of some of the sport’s biggest stages, having suffered a heavy loss to Daria Kasatkina on Center Court at Wimbledon in 2023 before a 6-3 6-2 defeat against Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open.
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Highlights as Coco Gauff defeats Qinwen Zheng to win WTA Finals
“I’ve never even hit Rod Laver before,” Berridge said Sky Sports Before his second-round match against former US Open Gauff, scheduled for 8 am UK time on Wednesday.
“I’ve played Coco before and he’s definitely the best player in the world at the moment, so it’s going to be a very, very difficult match.
“I’m flawless and I’m taking that attitude into the game and I’m going to take it to him. I’m going to see what I can do. trying to make him as uncomfortable as possible.
“I’m just so excited. Everyone loves an underdog.”
Berridge needed surgery on a ruptured wrist tendon in February, the fourth operation of her career, and was dealt another blow in April as she prepared to return to competition when she tore an ankle ligament in practice with Katie Boulter, forcing her to miss another 10 weeks.
“It’s just not easy to deal with,” Berrage said. “It’s been a really tough year, I didn’t know how much more I had to fight the sport.
“But it’s a crazy sport and it can change very, very quickly. That’s what kept me going, really, is that I know it can change quickly.”
Draper: The crowd will get the best of me
Jack Draper leads his lover Thanasi Kokkinakis in a hostile atmosphere
Jack Draper expects a hostile crowd to get the best of him when he takes on home favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round, with the match scheduled for the night session at John Kane Arena.
Draper He played his first round match against Argentinian Mariano Navone in 5 setsrust is showing up after preparations hampered by a hip injury that left him struggling to walk.
“It’s definitely going to bring the best out of me,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a really good atmosphere.
“Whether the crowd is with me or against me, I remember what it’s like to play Futures (tournaments) with no one watching. That’s what I play for, to play in front of a lot of people and have fun.”
Kokkinakis produced one of the most memorable Australian Open matches against Andy Murray two years ago when the Scot somehow clawed his way from two sets down to win the nearly six-hour contest at 4.05am.
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Jack Draper sat down with Gigi Salmon to discuss his career so far, dealing with the demands of the ATP Tour and realizing his potential in 2025.
Draper has also had close contests against the 28-year-old, despite never having been in Australia before, but he will not be looking to his compatriot for advice, with Murray focused on a new job coaching Novak Djokovic.
“I think Andy is too focused on Novak, but I watched that match,” Draper said. “I know Thanas will give it his all here in Melbourne. He always brings great tennis, so it’s going to be a really tough match.
“We’re always fighting, so I’m fully prepared and ready for it. I need to improve my performance and I think it’s a great opportunity to do that.”
Question marks also surround the fitness of Kokkinakis, who withdrew from his home tournament in Adelaide last week and then picked up a leg problem in his first round match in Melbourne.
While Murray appears to be off limits, Draper can chat with his old friend Jacob Fearnleywho accomplished one of the toughest tasks on his debut at Melbourne Park, defeating Nick Kyrgios.
Draper turned pro as a teenager while Fernley opted to go to college in the United States, but he wasted no time making his mark after leaving Texas last spring and could break new ground when he faces undrafted Frenchman Arthur Cazo on Wednesday.
“Fernley will have a great career”
Jacob Fearnley saw off home favorite Nick Kyrgios with an impressive display
Sky Sports’ Jonathan Overend said: “Fernley well done for dealing with the nick kyrgios circuseven as Kyrgios put on a show, pulling off tricks and making a small comeback in the third set.
“The more and more I see of Fernley, the more I think he’s going to have a stellar career as a top-100 player.
“How far is he going to go? It’s too early to say. He’s so fresh in his career, but we have something like that in Britain, where if you’re going to have a top-100 player, you expect a top-20 player. : .
“We seem to be good at producing world-famous players like Andy Murray and Emma Radukanu, but perhaps not so well at producing top, top-class players who mix the elite with the elite every year.
“I see in Fearnley all the qualities someone needs to do that. He’s going to have a great career. He’s going to be in the top 100 for a few years.”
Harriet DartOn Wednesday, the fourth British player, who only learned hours before his match against Jana Fett, that he had been given a place in the draw as the lucky loser, which he finally won after more than three hours, despite the controversy and bad luck. calf problem.
The 28-year-old will be hoping to recover in time for her clash with 18th seed Donna Vekic.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours as well as the US Open live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream NOW! and: The Sky Sports app.
