By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper reached the second week at the Australian Open for the first time in his career but how did the other Brits fare at the start of the season?
- Men’s Singles: Jack Draper [15], Jacob Fearnley, Cameron Norrie, Jan Choinski, Dan Evans, Billy Harris, Paul Jubb
- Women’s Singles: Katie Boulter [22], Jodie Burrage [PR], Sonay Kartal, Emma Raducanu, Harriet Dart, Francesca Jones, Yuriko Lily Miyazaki, Heather Watson
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Jack Draper’s run to a maiden Australian Open fourth round appearance was the highlight of the Australian Open but it’s now time to assess how the rest of the Brits fared at the start of the season.
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Another milestone was achieved by Jack Draper at the Australian Open as the Brit reached the second week in Melbourne for the first time in his career. The British number one won three consecutive five set matches to reach the last 16 before retiring from his match with Carlos Alcaraz. There was also an Australian Open debut to remember for Jacob Fearnley as the Brit reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time. While Emma Raducanu reached the third round of the Australian Open for the first time in her career. Now it’s time to assess how the Brits started their seasons and where there is area of improvement heading into a big next few months.
Men’s Singles
Jack Draper [15]
It’s another Grand Slam milestone for Draper as he overcame injury to win three consecutive five set matches and reach the second week of the Australian Open for the first time in his career. Now the British number one looks to overcome another injury as he will aim to continue this momentum into the rest of the season.
2025 Results So Far:
Australian Open:
- R1: Mariano Navone 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-2
- R2: Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7(3) 6-3 3-6 7-5 6-3
- R3: Aleksandar Vukic 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6(5) 7-6(10-8)
- R4: Carlos Alcaraz 5-7 1-6 RET
Jacob Fearnley
After reaching another Challenger semi-final, Fearnley made the most of his Australian Open debut by beating Nick Kyrgios on his way to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. Now Fearnley will hope to continue to make an impression on the ATP tour as he bids to play more regular tour events while his ranking continues to elevate.
2025 Results So Far:
Canberra Challenger:
- R1: Matthew Dellavedova 3-6 6-4 7-5
- R2: James Kent Trotter 6-2 6-4
- QF: Christopher Eubanks 4-6 6-2 7-6(3)
- SF: Joao Fonseca 3-6 3-6
Australian Open:
- R1: Nick Kyrgios 7-6(3) 6-3 7-6(2)
- R2: Arthur Cazaux 3-6 7-5 6-2 6-3
- R3: Alexander Zverev 3-6 4-6 4-6
Cameron Norrie
After a promising start to the season in Hong Kong, Cameron Norrie failed to overcome illness as he suffered two early round exits in Auckland and the Australian Open. Now Norrie will be hoping that doesn’t damage his confidence as he looks for a return to the world’s top 50 before Wimbledon.
2025 Results So Far:
ATP Hong Kong:
- R1: Learner Tien 6-3 7-5
- R2: Lorenzo Sonego 6-2 4-6 6-1
- QF: Kei Nishikori 3-6 6-3 2-6
ATP Auckland:
- R1: Facundo Diaz Acosta 2-6 3-6
Australian Open:
- R1: Matteo Berrettini 7-6(4) 4-6 1-6 3-6
Jan Choinski
Another disappointing Grand Slam for Jan Choinski as he has started the 2025 season in the worst possible fashion. The Brit will now hope to find some confidence on serve as he continues to battle on the Challenger tour.
2025 Results So Far:
Australian Open:
- QR1: Titouan Droguet 4-6 5-7
Oeiras Challenger:
- R1: Pedro Araujo 6-7(7) 4-6
Dan Evans
Despite previous successes in Australia, there was no such luck for Dan Evans as the Brit lost his opening qualifying round and will need a consistent good run of results in the next few months with the clay court season on the horizon.
2025 Results So Far:
Canberra Challenger:
- QR1: Emilio Nava 7-5 0-6 6-3
- QR2: Ethan Quinn 2-6 3-6
Australian Open:
- QR1: James Kent Trotter 4-6 6-3 3-6
Oeiras 2 Challenger:
- R1: Gastao Elias 4-6 7-5 5-7
Billy Harris
Billy Harris gained some good experience at the United Cup as he played some world class opposition. The Brit’s recent good run wasn’t replicated at the Australian Open though as he failed to qualify for the Australian Open and will hope that can motivate him to raise his level over the next few months. This will be important for Harris to have consistent confidence as he prepares to defend a lot of points over the grass court season in the summer.
2025 Results So Far:
United Cup:
- Round Robin: Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3 3-6 2-6
- Round Robin: Alex De Minaur 2-6 1-6
- Quarter-Finals: Hubert Hurkacz 6-7(3) 5-7
Australian Open:
- QR1: Yuta Shimizu 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4
- QR2: Carlos Taberner 6-1 6-2
- QR3: Kamil Majchrzak 5-7 2-6
Paul Jubb
It was a disappointing start to the season for Paul Jubb as the Brit lost his opening two matches of the season. Now Jubb aims to increase in confidence as he gets ready to prepare regular Challenger tour tennis.
2025 Results So Far:
Canberra Challenger:
- QR1: Ethan Quinn 6-7(4) 4-6
Australian Open:
- QR1: Juan Pablo Ficovich 4-6 4-6
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Women’s Singles
Katie Boulter [22]
There were some confidence boosting wins for Katie Boulter at the United Cup but the British number one once again conjured up a disappointing Grand Slam campaign in Melbourne. Now Boulter has a big next month ahead and will need to improve her form as she will lose some big ranking points if she doesn’t improve her results.
2025 Results So Far:
United Cup:
- Round Robin: Nadia Podoroska 6-2 6-3
- Round Robin: Olivia Gadecki 6-2 6-1
- Quarter-Finals: Iga Swiatek 7-6(4) 1-6 4-6
Australian Open:
- R1: Rebecca Marino 6-4 3-6 7-5
- R2: Veronika Kudermetova 6-7(3) 6-2 2-6
Jodie Burrage [PR]
Jodie Burrage can take positives from her run in Auckland as she tested Coco Gauff at the Australian Open with a sensational performance. Now the Brit aims to continue her progressive return from injury as she makes a return to the world’s top 150.
2025 Results So Far:
WTA Auckland:
- QR1: Mariam Bolkvadze 2-6 7-6(4) 6-3
- QR2: Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva 1-6 2-6
- R1: Vivian Yang 6-3 6-3
- R2: Hailey Baptiste 7-5 5-7 6-7(6)
WTA Adelaide:
- QR1: Leylah Fernandez 3-6 6-7(2)
Australian Open:
- R1: Leolia Jeanjean 6-2 6-4
- R2: Coco Gauff 3-6 5-7
Harriet Dart
A successful Australian Open for Harriet Dart will boost the Brit’s confidence as she continues her rapid rise up the rankings. Now Dart will look to continue the momentum as she aims to play more regular WTA events before a big grass court season in the summer.
2025 Results So Far:
WTA Brisbane:
- QR1: Priscilla Hon 6-7(6) 6-7(5)
Australian Open:
- QR1: Lizette Cabrera 6-2 7-6(5)
- QR2: Taylah Preston 6-7(7) 6-1 6-2
- QR3: Nao Hibino 4-6 5-7
- R1: Jana Fett 7-5 2-6 7-6(10-7)
- R2: Donna Vekic 6-4 0-6 2-6
Sonay Kartal
Despite a good second set recovery, Sonay Kartal was unsuccessful in her Australian Open debut. Now the Brit will use this experience to improve her game and gain more confidence with an important next couple of months ahead.
2025 Results So Far:
Australian Open:
- R1: Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 1-6 6-7(5)
Emma Raducanu
Despite suffering yet another injury, Raducanu showed she has the quality to get some good results at Grand Slam level on a regular basis. However that thrashing by Iga Swiatek will be a humble reminder that there is more to learn if she wants to reach a high level again and compete for major titles on the WTA tour.
2025 Results So Far:
Australian Open:
- R1: Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6(4) 7-6(2)
- R2: Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-5
- R3: Iga Swiatek 1-6 0-6
Francesca Jones
A tough loss for Francesca Jones at Australian Open qualifying will serve the Brit a reminder that there is plenty of work to do if she wants to close out matches in pressure moments. The Brit will hope she can remain physically fit as Jones seeks further improvement in the 2025 season.
2025 Results So Far:
Australian Open:
- QR1: Linda Fruhvirtova 7-5 6-4
- QR2: Jil Teichmann 6-4 6-7(13) 3-6
Yuriko Lily Miyazaki
A heart-breaking opening round qualifying loss for Yuriko Lily Miyazaki at the Australian Open as she still has a lot to learn in terms of consistency. The Brit will hope to improve that side of her game or she will see her ranking drop down ahead of Wimbledon.
2025 Results So Far:
Australian Open:
- QR1: Marie Benoit 7-5 4-6 6-7(8-10)
ITF New Delhi:
- R1: Saki Imamura 6-3 6-7(14) 6-3
- R2: Riya Bhatia 6-4 4-6 6-1
- QF: Dalila Jakupovic 6-1 6-3
- SF: Panna Udvardy 3-6 2-6
ITF Bengaluru:
- R1: Sahaja Yamalapalli 3-6 6-3 0-6
Heather Watson
A big opportunity missed from Heather Watson as the Brit couldn’t capitalize on a positive opening round qualifying win at the Australian Open. Now Watson will hope she can gain some good results in the next few months in order to build her ranking back up.
2025 Results So Far:
WTA Brisbane:
- QR1: Emiliana Arango 4-6 4-6
Australian Open:
- QR1: Lola Radivojevic 7-5 6-7(14) 6-2
- QR2: Varvara Lepchenko 6-3 3-6 1-6
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