Australian Open 2025: Elena Rybakina vs Emerson Jones preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

Match Details

Fixture: (6) Elena Rybakina vs (WC) Emerson Jones

Date: January 14, 2025

Tournament: Australian Open 2025

Round: First Round (Round of 128)

Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia

Category: Grand Slam

Surface: Hard (Outdoor)

Prize Money: A$96,500,000

Live Telecast: USA - ESPN & Tennis Channel | UK - Eurosport | India - Sony Sports & Sony LIV

Elena Rybakina vs Emerson Jones preview

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan plays a backhand in the semi-final match against Iga Swiatek of Poland during day nine of the 2025 United Cup at Ken Rosewall Arena on January 04, 2025 in Sydney. - Source: Getty

2023 Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina will take on 16-year-old Australian wildcard Emerson Jones in the first round on Tuesday (Jan. 14).

25-year-old Rybakina has won three out of the four matches she played this season, as she helped Kazakhstan reach the semifinal at the United Cup 2025.

In her opening match of the season, she outplayed Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-3. She also registered a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Greece's Maria Sakkari.

The World No. 7 outclassed Germany's Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-1. However, the Kazakh went down 6-7(5), 4-6 against former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

On the other hand, Jones earned her debut WTA tour level win last week in Adelaide. The Australian teenager knocked out China's Xinyu Wang 6-4, 6-0.

In the second round, she faced the third seed Daria Kasatkina and broke her first service game. She fought hard but lost the match 5-7, 3-6.

Emerson Jones of Australia plays a backhand in her match against Daria Kasatkina during day three of the 2025 Adelaide International at Memorial Drive on January 08, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. - Source: Getty

Elena Rybakina vs Emerson Jones head-to-head

Rybakina and Jones are 0-0 in head-to-head meetings as they have not met before.

Elena Rybakina vs Emerson Jones odds

Player	Moneyline	Handicap bets	Total games
Elena Rybakina	-10000	-7.5 (-125)	Over 16.5 (-125)
Emerson Jones	+1500	+7.5 (-115)	Under 16.5 (-115)

(Odds sourced from BetMGM)

Elena Rybakina vs Emerson Jones prediction

Former World No. 3 Rybakina is making her sixth appearance at the Melbourne Park. She has never lost in the first round at the Australian Open before.

Last year, she was stunned in the second round by Anna Blinkova, as they played the longest tie-break in Grand Slams singles history. Rybakina had saved nine match points before losing 20-22.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion has not lost a first round match at any Grand Slam since the 2022 US Open. So she would be hoping to win her first Grand Slam match with Goran Ivanisevic in her coaching team.

2024 Australian Open Girls' singles finalist Jones would be hoping to play like her favorite Aryna Sabalenka, who had beaten Rybakina in the 2023 Australian Open final.

Even if Jones can take a set off against Rybakina, it would be an accomplishment for the Brit.

Pick: Rybakina to win in straight sets.