Jodie Burrage was knocked out in the second round of the Australian Open in straight sets by third seed Coco Gauff. Against a player ranked 170 places above her and having considered quitting tennis a couple of months previously because of injury, Burrage put in a spirited performance.
At the start of the match Burrage was in the fight, extending the rallies, but she slipped to a 6-3 7-5 defeat.
“It was tough, she was serving really well, so I was just trying to manage that basically,” Gauff admitted in the on-court interview. “She really stepped her level up at the start of the second set.”
In the second set, Gauff looked like she would sail through to the third round at 3-1 up, but Burrage fought back and broke back with a clenched fist celebration. However, Burrage’s advantage was short-lived. The game after taking the lead in the second set, a double-fault saw Gauff break back immediately.
Gauff then calmly served out for the match to secure her place in the third round of the Australian Open.
10:15 AM GMT
Into the third round
10:12 AM GMT
Gauff’s winning moment
10:11 AM GMT
Dart aiming for third round
There have been delays on the outside courts without a roof but Harriet Dart is in action now on court three against Serbia’s Donna Vekic. Dart is in a strong position to take the first set as she leads 5-4.
10:10 AM GMT
Over on court six
Fresh from beating Nick Kyrgios in the first round, 23-year-old Jacob Fearnley is taking on Frenchman Arthur Cazaux for a place in the third round. Fearnley though lost the first set 3-6 but is ahead 4-3 in the second.
10:08 AM GMT
Draper fighting back
Over at the John Cain Arena Jack Draper is in action against home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis. Draper lost the first set in a tie-break but has fought back to claim the second set 6-3 to make it 1-1 in sets. They have just begin the third set and you can keep across all the action from that match right here.
10:06 AM GMT
Briton watch
Jodie Burrage has not been the only Briton in singles action today. Let’s take a look at how the others are doing…
10:02 AM GMT
Tim Henman on Eurosport
“It is one of those matches that Jodie [Burrage] would do really well to watch. The difference in her level throughout was massive. When started there looked like nervous tension and she was struggling with unforced errors. Then she started getting some consistency and she has the firepower. She was dictating against one of the best players in the world, up 5-3 in the second set. Then suddenly the final four games ran away from her.
“She will take a massive amount from that and it will be a steep learning curve. Her best is good enough to compete but when it falls off the level drops too much.”
09:57 AM GMT
Match summary
Aces: Coco Gauff 3-5 Jodie Burrage
First serve percentage: 58%-62%
First serve points won: 67%-62%
Second serve points won: 54%-31%
Double faults: 7-6
Winners: 14-21
Unforced errors: 18-45
Break points won: 5/11-3/5
09:53 AM GMT
The thoughts of Coco Gauff
“It was tough. She [Jodie Burrage] played really well so I was just trying to manage that. On pretty much all of my first serves I was on the defence. She stepped her level up in the second set and I was trying to be on the offensive when I could. I was just trying to do better than the last game. I double faulted a little bit and she was returning well so it put pressure on my serve. Maybe next time mix up the targets a bit.
“I was trying to tell myself to be offensive when I could. I have put in a lot of practice and physical preparation. I have been working hard and every day matters, in tennis and in life.”
09:46 AM GMT
Gauff beats Burrage 6-3, 7-5 to book place in third round
Burrage has made some unforced errors that she will regret but has also played some terrific tennis in this match.
Burrage hits into the net and Gauff now has her first match point. Burrage goes long and Gauff is into the third round. She was made to work by Burrage and her serve was not fantastic but the most important thing for the third seed is that she is through.
Burrage can hold her head up high but will regret the missed opportunities.
09:42 AM GMT
Gauff 6-3, 6-5 Burrage* (*denotes server)
How on earth did Gauff win that point? At 30-30, Burrage is on the front foot for pretty much the whole of that point and should put Gauff away but somehow the American wins the point to have break point. But Burrage does not allow her to take it with a powerful forehand.
Burrage really did not need that double fault at this moment in the match. That feels like nerves have kicked in as back-to-back double faults gives Gauff a break and now the American is one game away on serve from the match.
09:37 AM GMT
Gauff* 6-3, 5-5 Burrage (*denotes server)
Gauff is struggling on her own serve and registers yet another double fault. We saw Emma Raducanu the other day get into double figures for double faults.
Gauff holds her serve and Burrage missed some good opportunities in that game. In some ways Gauff looks slightly more comfortable when she is not serving. We are back level in this second set at 5-5.
09:32 AM GMT
Gauff 6-3, 4-5 Burrage* (*denotes server)
Burrage starts this important game with an ace but the rest of the game does not go to plan. A double fault at the end of it allows Gauff to break serve and keep the set alive.
09:29 AM GMT
Gauff* 6-3, 3-5 Burrage (*denotes server)
Burrage is putting Gauff under some pressure and the American is not having it all her own way. Gauff’s first serve percentage is dropping.
Gauff goes 40-30 up but a double fault allows Burrage to take it to deuce. That is now her fifth double fault in this set.
A terrific forehand from Burrage gives her advantage and a break point. Gauff though delivers an ace when she needed it.
You can see Burrage’s confidence increasing and she has a second break point, which she takes.
If she hold serve, she will win the second set to take us to a decider.
09:22 AM GMT
Gauff 6-3, 3-4 Burrage* (*denotes server)
After a real high of breaking the Gauff serve to love in the last match, Burrage just needs to settle and keep a level head, which she does.
We have an unbelievable 17-shot rally, which Burrage wins to go 40-0 up. She then hits a double fault. Can she keep her composure to take a 3-4 lead in this set? Back-to-back double faults and she does not want to waste this opportunity.
She does not waste it as Gauff hits into the net and, for the first time in this match, Burrage has a lead in a set.
09:18 AM GMT
Gauff* 6-3, 3-3 Burrage (*denotes server)
This is a terrific chance of a break for Burrage. After a fantastic backhand across the court she now has three break points which she takes at the first chance as Gauff hits the net. It is now all square in this second set.
09:14 AM GMT
Gauff 6-3, 3-2 Burrage* (*denotes server)
A hard-fought game on Burrage’s serve and the Briton holds her serve.
09:11 AM GMT
Gauff* 6-3, 3-1 Burrage (*denotes server)
Gauff races through that service game, finishing it off with an ace.
09:08 AM GMT
Gauff 6-3, 2-1 Burrage* (*denotes server)
First sign of real frustration from Burrage as she smacks the ground after hitting the net, to give Gauff a break point but responds with an ace to take us to deuce. Burrage wins the next two points as well and takes her first game in this set.
09:04 AM GMT
Gauff* 6-3, 2-0 Burrage (*denotes server)
Two double faults in this game presents Burrage wonderful break-point chance but she goes long when she had her opportunity and we move to deuce. A sign of a top player is someone who is able to come through when under pressure and Gauff comes through to hold serve, despite Burrage having a break point.
08:59 AM GMT
Gauff 6-3, 1-0 Burrage* (*denotes server)
Burrage is on serve at the start of this second set. We probably have the best and longest rally of the match at 15-15 but an error on forehand down the line from Burrage allows Gauff to go 15-30 ahead in this game.
But Burrage responds by winning the next two points to go one point away from the game but goes long, meaning we head to deuce.
Gauff gets a break-point chance and her backhand across court is too strong for Burrage. An early break in this second set for Gauff.
08:51 AM GMT
Gauff takes first set 6-3
Gauff races to 40-0 up and now has three set points. A strong forehand sees the American third seed close out the set 6-3 in 35 minutes. A mountain to climb for Burrage, whose first serve percentage is much higher than Gauff’s but the American has a a much higher win percentage on first serve.
08:48 AM GMT
Gauff 5-3 Burrage* (*denotes server)
Even though Gauff is 5-2 up, Burrage has not played poorly and has hit some great shots, there have just been too many errors. On serve she has been strong, with her first serve percentage up at around 75%, more than 15% higher than Gauff’s.
Her second ace puts her 40-15 ahead and she sees out the game with another ace. A big smile on her face as she keeps this first set alive.
08:45 AM GMT
Gauff* 5-2 Burrage (*denotes server)
Gauff races through the service game and is now just one game away from the first set. Can Burrage keeps this set alive?
08:42 AM GMT
Gauff 4-2 Burrage* (*denotes server)
Burrage had Gauff on the ropes in that first point but cannot take advantage. The next point has similarities but once again Burrage does not take her chance as she hits the net.
Burrage then just misses a backhand down the line and suddenly, despite Burrage having chances on all three of those points, Gauff has three break points. Burrage though wins the next two points and suddenly Gauff could be on the verge of wasting the break points but she takes the third one, as Burrage hits into the net.
08:37 AM GMT
Gauff* 3-2 Burrage (*denotes server)
Burrage has clearly taken some confidence from taking that previous game and moves to 0-30 on the Gauff serve.
Gauff takes it back to 30-30 but Gauff hits the net, handing Burrage a chance at break point. A strong forehand return on the Gauff second serve means she takes advantage of that break point and the first set is back on.
08:33 AM GMT
Gauff 3-1 Burrage* (*denotes server)
A few mistakes creeping into Burrage’s game and she has already hit the net a number of times. Gauff is also putting her under pressure.
Gauff moves to 0-30 up but then hits the net to allow Burrage back in. But a backhand into the net for Burrage results in two break points for Gauff. Burrage sensibly takes a moment before serving again and that serves her well as an excellent forehand down the line keeps her alive in this game. Then a terrific ace, her first of the match, takes us to deuce. Just shows the importance of sometimes slowing down.
Gauff’s return is into the net and Burrage is one point away from her first game of the match. Another good serve results in Gauff hitting the net and Burrage is on the board, much to her delight.
08:28 AM GMT
Gauff* 3-0 Burrage (*denotes server)
Gauff eases to the game on serve and she is now 3-0 up after just 11 minutes of play. Burrage needs to get on the board or else this could get away from her very quickly.
08:24 AM GMT
Gauff 2-0 Burrage* (*denotes server)
Burrage was born in Kingston, Surrey, and her boyfriend is Scotland and Toulon scrum-half Ben White, who obviously is unable to be in Melbourne to support her as he is playing in the Champions Cup for his club side. Toulon are playing away at Sale Sharks in Salford on Sunday, which we will be blogging for you.
Burrage goes 30-0 up and has a great chance of making it 40-0 but is slightly too eager and is too long. A superb shot from Gauff as Burrage approached the net takes us to 30-30.
Burrage though deceives Gauff and moves to 40-30 but she hits the net on the next point, which takes us to deuce.
Gauff then has a break point, which she gets as Burrage hits the net. Burrage will be very frustrated with herself that she did not win her first service game as she the chances to do so.
08:20 AM GMT
Gauff* 1-0 Burrage (*denotes server)
Gauff won the coin toss and will serve first. Tim Hemnan spoke in the build-up on Eurosport about settling as fast as possible as there will definitely be nerves for Burrage on her first appearance at the Rod Laver Arena.
A terrific backhand from Burrage keeps the game alive at 40-30 to Gauff and the American goes long on the next point to take us to deuce. Gauff sees out the game but Burrage can take some confidence from that opening game.
08:14 AM GMT
Ready for action
Both players have gone through their warm-ups and we are ready to go. Can Jodie Burrage cause a huge shock or will world number three Coco Gauff book her place in the third round? Let’s play some tennis.
Their only meeting before came at Eastbourne in 2023 and it ended in a 6-1, 6-1 victory for Gauff.
08:08 AM GMT
Players onto the court
Coco Gauff and Jodie Burrage are welcomed onto the Rod Laver Arena at the start of the evening session, both players with headphones on. I tell you what, it is a long walk for the players onto the court! A beaming smile from Burrage as she emerges onto the court. A wave from Gauff but she looks like she means business.
There will definitely be some nerves for Burrage but, after the injury issues she has had, she should enjoy this experience. The weather in Melbourne is not the best but the Rod Laver Arena has the retractable roof so no issues with delays.
08:03 AM GMT
Settling nerves
Looking ahead to this match on Eurosport, Tim Hemnan has been talking about the importance of the first few games for Jodie Burrage and settling down having never played inside the Rod Laver Arena.
07:58 AM GMT
Wet in Melbourne
That is not a problem though for this match on the Rod Laver Arena with a retractable roof. It will also not be an issue on the John Cain Arena where Jack Draper is taking on Thanasi Kokkinakis.
07:52 AM GMT
Action from the women’s draw
Last year’s runner-up Qinwen Zheng has been knocked out in the second round. The Chinese Olympic singles gold medallist Zheng lost in straight sets 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 to German Laura Siegemund, becoming the highest ranked player from either singles draw to lose so far in Melbourne
Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is through after a hard-fought 6-3, 7-5 win against Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Two-time winner Naomi Osaka is also into the second round, coming from a set down to beat Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.
07:46 AM GMT
Draper in action against Kokkinakis
Six Britons have booked their place in the second round and we have two playing at the same time. Whilst we are focusing on Jodie Burrage’s match against world number three Coco Gauff, Jack Draper is taking on home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis. You can follow that match with our dedicated live blog here.
07:39 AM GMT
Tim Henman on Eurosport
“You reflect on her [Coco Gauff] performance at the US Open and she was defending champion. It looked like it was pretty stressful and looked like she was struggling mentally and technically. Towards the end of last year she played some brilliant tennis. She has been able to maintain that momentum. With her athletic ability and the way she is able to stay in rallies. So far, so good and it will be interesting to see this match-up with Jodie Burrage.
“Two players at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of where their games are at. Burrage has had some injury troubles but she had a good first-round win and she now has the opportunity to play at the Rod Laver Arena.”
07:35 AM GMT
Eurosport’s John McEnroe on Coco Gauff
“[Aryna] Sabalenka is playing incredible tennis and playing with confidence. But I think Coco [Gauff] is in a better place than she has been in her career right now. She had a great run with Brad Gilbert [Gauff’s former coach], won the US Open but let him go after winning that. She has a bit of a new team here. She is thinking more on her own now, growing now and absolutely a threat. One of her or Sabalenka will win it.”
07:30 AM GMT
Record six British players reach second round
Jodie Burrage, Katie Boulter, Jack Draper, Jacob Fearnley, Harriet Dart and Emma Raducanu all won their first-round matches to book their places in the second round. Our very own Simon Briggs has all the details from Melbourne.
07:25 AM GMT
Match schedule and draw details
From the latest odds, to the order of play each day, to the prize money, we have you covered at Telegraph Sport. You can find out all the details right here.
07:20 AM GMT
Burrage takes on Gauff
Britain’s Jodie Burrage faces a daunting task in the Australian Open second round as she takes on American Coco Gauff at the Rod Laver Arena. Burrage claimed a 6-2 6-4 success over French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean in the first round to book her place in round two and a date with third seed Gauff. Beating Jeanjean in round one was particularly emotional for Burrage considering she has recently mulled over retiring from the sport after a string of injuries have hampered her career.
“It was a good decision [not to retire],” said world number 173 Burrage. “All of those emotions from the last nine months I think were bottled up in there. I think because I know I have been playing some good tennis, I know what such a good opportunity today was. I knew the hard work that went in for the last year.”
After a number of injuries, Burrage first thought about quitting the sport in 2020 but then did enjoy some good moments. A maiden grand slam tournament win came at her home tournament at Wimbledon in 2023, which earned her an appearance on Centre Court in the second round. She also won in the first round of that year’s US Open.
Burrage reached a career-high 84th in the world when her progress suffered another setback. Back in February, she needed surgery on a snapped tendon in her wrist, the fourth operation of her career, and she suffered another blow in April when she ruptured an ankle ligament in a practice session with British number one Katie Boulter and, although she did not require surgery, she was ruled out for another 10 weeks.
But now she can look forward to a second-round encounter against world number three Gauff and Burrage is looking forward to what she knows will be a very tough test.
“I have never even hit on Rod Laver before,” Burrage told Sky Sports. “I have played Coco before and she is arguably the best player in the world right now so it is going to be a very, very tricky match.
“I’m an underdog and I am taking that attitude into the match and I am taking the attitude of I’m going to take it to her. I am going to see what I can do. I am going to try and make her as uncomfortable as I can. I am just very excited. Everyone loves an underdog.”
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