Joint experienced a rare defeat on Saturday, falling to Jessica Bucsa in the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Open. The match concluded in just 58 minutes, marking a surprising turn in a season where Joint has otherwise excelled.
Match Overview
Entering the match as the favorite, Joint had recently secured a career highlight by winning the WTA title in Eastbourne, England, in June. She also reached the semi-finals at the Korea Open in Seoul in September, where she was defeated by Iga Swiatek. On Saturday, Joint initially showed promise by leading 3-2 after five games. However, Bucsa swiftly turned the tide, claiming the next seven games in a commanding display.
Although Joint managed to stop Bucsa’s momentum momentarily by holding her serve in the fourth game of the second set, the Spanish player quickly regained her dominance. Bucsa then closed out the match, winning the final three games without conceding a break point.
Season Highlights and Future Prospects
This defeat is a notable setback for the Queensland native, who has dramatically risen from outside the top 100 to her current ranking of No. 32 in the world. Joint is now in a competitive position as she aims for a seeded spot at the upcoming Australian Open, scheduled for January 2024.
Bucsa’s performance in this match was particularly impressive, as she recorded 20 winners while Joint struggled with 25 unforced errors. The Spanish player maintained a strong serve throughout, facing no break point opportunities. In another semi-final, Victoria Mboko, the 19-year-old third seed, triumphed over second seed Leylah Fernandez in an all-Canadian match, winning with scores of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
As the tournament progresses, Joint will look to regroup and focus on her upcoming competitions, hoping to reclaim her momentum on the WTA tour.
