Aussies produce mixed results in Wimbledon qualifying

Emerson Jones and Storm Hunter have advanced to the second round of Wimbledon's qualifying stage. Jones, who turns 18 next month, eased past Czech Linda Fruhvirtová 6-2, 6-1. The 135th-ranked Jones will face Anastasia Gasanova in the next round. Hunter defeated Belgium's Sofia Costoulas 7-5, 6-4. The Queenslander will face Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus as she chases a berth in the Wimbledon main draw for the first time since 2023. While Jones and Hunter stayed alive in qualifying, compatriots Taylah Preston, Maddison Inglis and Priscilla Hon made first-round exits. Preston, seeded 18, was beaten 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 by Italy's Tyra Caterina Grant. Inglis lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to 20th seed Lucia Bronzetti. Hon fell in straight sets to Nao Hibino, 6-2, 6-2. In the Wimbledon warm-up tournament at Eastbourne, Kimberly Birrell secured a win over fourth-seed Barbora Krejčíková, triumphing 6-3, 7-6 (8/6). Fellow Australian Talia Gibson lost to 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys 6-4, 6-4. AAP