Jodie Burrage was in tears as she scored one of the best wins of her career at the Australian Open.

The 25-year-old admitted before the tournament that she considered quitting the sport a few months ago, but she tasted victory for the first time with a 6-2 6-4 win over the French qualifier in the main draw at Melbourne Park. Leolia Jean.

After her final forehand dribble cleared the net, Burlage covered her face with her hands as the emotions came over her, and she sobbed into a towel.

Playing in her first Grand Slam since losing in the first round here last year, Burrage suffered a wrist injury in February that required surgery and then ruptured ankle ligaments as she neared her return.

“I think I was really nervous about this game, even last night,” said a beaming Burrage, who next faces a tough challenge against the third seed. Coco Gough.

“I haven’t had an experience like this in a while. I think because I know I’ve been playing some great tennis, I know what a great opportunity today is. I know how hard it was last year. All those emotions I think went over For nine months we were stuck there.

“Everything I did, all I said was, ‘I want to go to Australia and I know I’m going to do well in Australia’. So I really didn’t want to waste my opportunity today. I’m really happy that I was able to cross the finish line , I thought I handled it well throughout the game.

“Right at the end, it always comes at some point. I’m very, very happy. It’s definitely one of the best wins of my career.”

She missed the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open last year and was at her lowest as she tried to climb back into the rankings at lower levels in the fall.

But in Dubai, buoyed by the most important title of her career, Burlage produced a superb performance against Jean for her third Grand Slam victory.

She achieved good results with her strong baseline and serve, encountering no break points in the 73-minute match.

While Burrage enjoyed the opportunity after everything she’d been through, she admitted she could barely eat breakfast because she was so nervous.

Next, the world No. 173 must try to overtake Gauff, who arrives in Melbourne as the best player on the tour.

The 2023 US Open champion defeated compatriot and former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-3 6-3.

“It’s going to be fun,” said Burrage, who has won just two games in his only start at Eastbourne in 2023.

“I’m going to take it to her and see if I can get a few more plays than last time, although not a lot. I feel like I’m in a different position than I was last time I played her.”

Gauff won the WTA Finals last season and began this year helping the United States win the Fed Cup trophy, including a victory over Iga Swiatek.

Swiatek’s victory was incredible

World No. 2 Swiatek advanced to the second round after defeating Katrina Siniakova 6-3 6-4 at John Cain Arena.

Swiatek struggled to find the deliberate rhythm that has helped her win five Grand Slam titles as her Czech opponent, a doubles specialist, put up some stiff resistance.

“Of course, it wasn’t an easy first round, so I’m happy that I got through,” said the 23-year-old Pole.

“I thought she played really well and I knew I needed to be more aggressive and that’s what I was (eventually).”

Swiatek, whose best performance on Australian Open hard courts was a 2022 semifinal loss to American Danielle Collins, will next face Slovakia’s Rebecca Slamkova.

What’s coming to Sky Sports Tennis?

• ABN AMRO Rotterdam Open (ATP 500) – February 3-9
• Dallas Open (ATP 500) – February 3-9
• Delray Beach Open (ATP 250) – February 10-16
• IEB+ Argentina Open (ATP 250) – February 10-16
• The 13th Provence Open (ATP 250) – February 10-16
• Transylvania Open (WTA 250) – February 3-9
• Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (WTA 500) – February 3-8
• Qatar TotalEnergies Open (WTA 1000) – February 9-15
• Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship (WTA 1000) – February 16-22

Watch ATP and WTA Tour events and the US Open in New York live on Sky Sports in 2025, or Live with NOW and Sky Sports Appthis year Sky Sports customers can watch more than 50% of live sports events for free. Learn more here.