The Canberra Velocity women’s team is set to take on the Beenleigh Blaze in the semifinals of the North Conference in the Asia Pacific Tennis League (ATL). Velocity earned a spot in the semis by finishing in top spot of Pool B, while the Blaze finished in second place of Pool A.
Canberra Velocity finished the pool rounds with a 5-1 record, with their only loss coming against the Western Sydney Warriors in round 3. The team will take plenty of confidence into the finals, after winning 15 out of a possible 18 rubbers last weekend.
Alison Bai will spearhead the team and will look to improve on her impressive 8-2 record this season. Ashley Keir is 5 from 5 at the number 2 singles spot this year, while Tyra Calderwood and Kaitlin Staines are expected to line up at the 3 and 4 positions. Alexandra Nancarrow, who is still recovering from a hand injury will likely form part of the doubles line up.
The Beenleigh Blaze are led by Alicia Smith who is currently ranked 36 in Australia. Smith has been in great form during the ATL season, including a win over world number 332 Priscilla Hon. Aleksa Cveticanin is undefeated in singles play in her 3 outings for the Blaze, including defeating world number 611, Naikitha Bains. Gabriela McLaughlin, ranked 67 in the Australian rankings, and Olivia Gadecki have also been solid for the Blaze in the pool rounds. 13 year old Gadecki is ranked number 1 in Australia for her age.
The other semi-final will see the Brisbane Sharks take on the Western Sydney Warriors. The Sharks are undefeated and won and impressive 31 out of 36 rubbers in the pool matches. The Sharks feature Priscilla Hon (WTA 332), Naikitha Bains (WTA 611), Lizette Cabrera (WTA 1071) and Ashling Sumner (WTA 1234). The Warriors who were in the same pool as Velocity, will be led by Michaela Haet, who is currently ranked 43 in Australia and 108 in the ITF junior world rankings. She will be supported by Alexandra Bozovic, Natalie Barbir, and Lucie Kriegsmannova.
The semifinals will take place at the Sunshine Coast Regional Tennis Centre on Friday from 6pm (AEST). The winners of tomorrow’s matches will progress to the North Conference finals on Sunday 6 of December, while the losers will play for 3rd place.
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