Hayden Jones powers into third spherical at Australian Open 2024 | 22 January, 2024 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

Hayden Jones has sturdy athletic genes. His mom, Loretta Harrop, was a world-class triathlete and gained an Olympic silver medal in 2004. His father, Brad Jones, excelled in soccer and claimed the Queensland Australian Soccer League’s Grogan Medal in 1999.

However within the Australian Open 2024 Junior Championships as we speak, the 17-year-old from the Gold Coast went to head-to-head with opponents who arguably boast even higher pedigree, at the very least in tennis circles.

Jones confronted American Jagger Leach within the second spherical of the boys’ singles competitors at Melbourne Park.

Leach is the 16-year-old son of Australian Open 2000 singles champion Lindsay Davenport, a former world No.1 in singles and doubles, who gained an Olympic gold medal in 1996. His uncle, Rick Leach, additionally topped the world rankings in doubles.

World No.23 Jones had his measure, nevertheless, powering to a 6-4 6-0 victory in 56 minutes. He tallied 18 winners and dedicated solely eight unforced errors in a commanding efficiency.

Later within the day, Jones teamed with American Alexander Razeghi to attain a 6-0 7-6(5) victory towards Aussie wildcards Cruz Hewitt and Lachlan McFadzean within the opening spherical of the boys’ doubles competitors.

Hewitt is the 15-year-old son of Australian nice Lleyton Hewitt, a former world No.1 and two-time Grand Slam singles champion.

“It was fascinating,” Jones mentioned about competing towards the youthful Hewitt, who had loads of fan help at 1573 Enviornment.

“I knew if it acquired a little bit bit shut within the scoreline, lots of people would are available in and be cheering towards us. I simply tried to dam it out and simply focus.”

Whereas Jones admitted he knew little or no about Davenport, he’s aware of Hewitt, having travelled with the Australian Davis Cup workforce final yr as an orange boy.

“Lleyton’s been excellent to me,” Jones mentioned.

“He at all times says you’ve acquired to be relentless and work as laborious as you may. He’s simply so aggressive and I believe that’s one thing that everybody can study off him.”

Jones is hoping his laborious work pays off when he meets third seed Tomasz Berkieta of Poland within the third spherical of the boys’ singles competitors.

“I truthfully take into account myself the favorite,” Jones mentioned about going through the world No.7, who smashed down a 233 kilometre per hour serve in his second-round match as we speak.

“I’m enjoying some good tennis and I believe I’ll make it very robust for him.”

Jones’ confidence stems from an encouraging efficiency within the Australian Open 2024 males’s qualifying singles competitors earlier this month, the place as a wildcard he prolonged world No.139 Camilo Carabelli to 3 units within the opening spherical.

“I didn’t really feel the distinction between us was vastly in sport, he was simply extra mature on larger factors,” Jones famous.

Decided to study from this expertise, Jones is eyeing a primary Grand Slam singles quarterfinal. He has progressed to the third spherical as soon as earlier than, on the Australian Open in 2022.

“I’ve been on this place earlier than, so hopefully I can play higher and go one additional,” Jones mentioned.

His youthful sister, 15-year-old Emerson, is at the moment a top-10 ranked junior and likewise competing within the Australian Open 2024 Junior Championships.