Emma Raducanu has drawn rising Australian star Maya Joint in the first round of the Italian Open. Though Joint is a qualifier, the matchup is far from easy, given her recent form and strong progress on the WTA Tour.
Joint, who just turned 19, recently set a national record by becoming the youngest Australian to win at WTA 1000 level. She reached the second round in Madrid, narrowly losing to No. 11 seed Emma Navarro in a competitive match.
Having broken into the top 200 last year, Joint’s rise has continued in 2025, including a wildcard appearance at the Australian Open. Her current live ranking of No. 73 highlights her growing reputation on the tour.
Raducanu, optimistic and focused on improving her clay game, sees this match as a chance to build momentum. A win could set up a second-round clash with world No. 20 Ekaterina Alexandrova, offering valuable ranking points and experience.
