Four Canberra locals will feature in the first round of women’s qualifying at the Canberra International on Sunday. Ashley Keir, Kaitlin Staines, Imogen Clews, and Sarina Kang, will all play first round matches.
Ashley Keir, has been on the comeback after missing most of the year through injury. Keir has recently qualified at the Toowoomba International and Tweed Heads Pro tour events and will be looking to make an impact at her home event. Kaitlin Staines, is currently ranked number 2 in Australia for her age group, and recently made the final of the Canberra Junior International. She also won the doubles title with Canberra Velocity team mate, Imogen Clews. The Canberra International will provide a great experience for Clews and Staines who will be looking to secure their first victory on the pro tour. Sarina Kang has gained valuable experience the past 12 months, playing in Turkey for 3 months earlier this year.
Meanwhile in the men’s draw, Dimitri Morogiannis and Jake Eames have both fallen in qualifying at the first day of the Canberra International.
Morogiannis faced number 5 seed Daniel Hobart from South Australia. 17 year old, Hobart is currently ranked 1018 in the ATP rankings, and number 1 in Australia for his age. He proved too strong for Morogiannis, taking the match 6-2, 6-3.
Number 6 seed, Jake Eames had a first round bye and faced Scott Puodziunas from Queensland in the second round. Eames was on top early, taking a 5-3 lead, but was unable to capitalise on his opportunities. Puodziunas, fought back to take the first set in a tiebreak and then went out to an early lead in the second. At 5-2, Puodziunas had 4 match points, but Eames rallied to level the score at 5-5. Puodziunas held serve and then broke Eames to take the match 7-6, 7-5.
German top seed Sebastian Fanselow, and number 2 seed Blake Mott both made it through to the final round of qualifying with comfortable wins. Jake Delaney upset number 3 seed Thomas Fancutt, while Max Purcell beat 7 seed Steven De Waard. The final round of men’s qualifying will be played tomorrow.
Entry to the Canberra Tennis Centre is free, with play on Sunday set to commence at 9am.
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