Maya Joint staged one of the most remarkable rallies of the professional tennis season at the Korea Open, saving three match points to defeat Xinxin Yao 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-3 in the opening round, according to tournament reports and social media coverage by Bastien Fachan.
How Maya Joint Overcame a 6-2, 5-1 Deficit in Seoul
The match began with early struggles for Joint, who fell behind as the World No. 284 Xinxin Yao claimed an initial 4-1 lead with a double-break, according to match accounts. The second set followed a similar trajectory as Yao raced ahead to a 5-1 advantage, dropping just three games overall against the two-time WTA title winner and leaving her opponent on the brink of defeat.
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Faced with elimination, Joint mounted a sustained fightback. She saved her first match point while trailing 5-2, broke serve twice during a frantic late-set surge, and erased another match point at 5-4. After wiping out a third match point in the tiebreak, Joint converted her own second set point to level the match, before dominating the deciding set to claim victory after trailing 6-2, 5-1, 30-40, as detailed by Bastien Fachan.
Ranking Pressure and the Road to the Korea Open
The hard-fought win carries significant weight for the 20-year-old Australian, who entered the South Korean capital sitting at No. 99 in the world rankings. According to tournament analysis, Joint reached the semi-finals of this event last year during her breakthrough, but she has endured a difficult 2026 season marked by injuries and inconsistent form that pushed her toward the edge of the top 100.
Despite her ranking slide and recent struggles—having only won more than one match twice this year in Adelaide and Toronto—Joint was the fifth seed and heavy favourite against the Chinese qualifier. Following this escape, she advances to face wildcard Dayeon Back in the second round.
Did you know? Maya Joint’s dramatic turnaround in Seoul mirrors her rapid rise on the WTA tour last season, where her run to the Korea Open semi-finals established her as one of the tour’s rising talents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Maya Joint defeat at the Korea Open?
Joint defeated World No. 284 Xinxin Yao in the first round in Seoul.
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How many match points did Maya Joint save?
According to match reports, Joint saved three match points during her comeback.
What was the final score of the match?
Joint won the match 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-3 after being down 6-2 and 5-1 in the second set.
Who is Maya Joint’s next opponent?
Joint advances to play wildcard Dayeon Back in the second round of the tournament.
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