Maya Joint saves match point to help Australia advance in BJK Cup

Team Australia celebrate in Hobart. (Getty/William West)

A stunning comeback from Maya Joint was the highlight of Team Australia's second consecutive clean sweep in Hobart to book their place in the 2026 BJK Cup qualifiers.

Two days earlier, the Aussies defeated Portugal 3-0, requiring a victory against a Brazil side without former world No.10 Beatriz Haddad Maia to secure progression.

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In the first rubber, Kimberly Birrell, who has had a difficult 2025 season results-wise, managed to squeeze past 15-year-old sensation Nauhany Vitoria Leme Da Silva 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

Maya Joint, 19, then had the responsibility of avoiding a doubles decider, but didn't have it easy against an opponent 12 years her senior in Laura Pigossi.

Trailing match point at 2-6, 4-5, 30-40, Joint won nine of the last 10 games to record a 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 win, as she overcame a two-and-a-half-hour delay in the second set.

"I think the rain delay was really helpful. I kind of needed that break just to think about what I needed to do differently to be able to turn this match around," Joint said post-match. "I know I needed to bring some energy, and that's what I tried to do.

"Tennis changes so quickly. Just one point here or there really changes the whole match around. After I saved that match point and was able to go back on serve, finally. In the second set, that really changed the whole thing. Then in the third set, I just needed to stick with it. I knew that she's a fighter and that she's always going to be able to come back, so I need to stay focused and stay in the moment."  

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It caps off a remarkable season for Joint, who is currently the No.1 Aussie female player after reaching a career-high ranking of world No.32.

Australia are now in the draw for next year's qualifiers at the start of April, with a total of 14 nations vying for a Finals spot in seven home or away ties across two days.

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