Teen sensation Emerson Jones earned comparison to some Aussie tennis greats despite going down in straight sets to sixth-seed and Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in her Australian Open main draw debut.
Jones won the first point of the match on Rybakina's serve, but that was the only time in the match the 16-year-old held any kind of lead.
She held her first service match, before Rybakina rattled off five straight games to clinch the first set.
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The Kazakh's class shone through in that fifth game. She found herself facing three break points down 0-40, before blasting four-straight aces to put herself up the advantage.
Emerson Jones was knocked out by Elena Rybakina in straight sets. AP
"Come on (Elena), she's only 16!", Sam Smith pleaded in commentary for Nine after the fourth Ace.
"Welcome to the big time, Emerson. There won't be many more heavy servers than this, you might as well start at the top. This is unreal."
Rybakina only just missed a fifth-straight ace, but clinched the set with a powerful forehand winner on the second serve.
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Jones congratulating Rybakina after the match. AP
In the second set, Jones comfortably held her first game, but collapsed from 40-0 up in her second to be broken.
Rybakina refused to let up though, and eventually claimed a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win.
"53 minutes of facing the toughest opponent that she has done so in her entire short career. It's been quite an education," Smith quipped.
Post-match, Rybakina said Jones was "very young, very talented (with) a great future ahead of her", before offering some advice.
Rybakina was full of praise for the 16-year-old Aussie. Getty
"Just to try to work hard, listen to her team, because I think she has great support and plenty of opportunities to play with great players."
In commentary, Smith said Jones had been compared to US Open winner Sam Stosur.
"The word on Emerson is she's an unbelievable competitor, fantastic attitude," she said.
"Her former coach Dave Taylor said she is one of very few that gives 100 per cent every single practice session.
"Dave coached her from 14-16 – the only one he can compare her to is Sam Stosur, who is sitting courtside. That is a great compliment."
