After a year filled with freak injuries, lengthy layoffs and doubts that dug deep into her soul, Jodie Burrage’s first grand slam match in 12 months could not have met a more satisfying end. One point away from one of the most significant victories of her career, the 25-year-old’s forehand clipped the top of the net and dribbled down on to the opposite side of the court as a clean winner. Finally, her luck has turned.
The emotions flowed as soon as Burrage’s 6-2, 6-4 first-round victory against Leolia Jeanjean, a qualifier, was complete. First she covered her face with both hands in disbelief, then she retreated to her chair and wept into her towel. “It was always going to come out at some point,” she said later.
