Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava (VIC) has stormed through to the final of the ACT Claycourt International #1 after a dominant performance against compatriot Olivia Tjandramulia (QLD). Three time doubles Grand Slam Finalist Ashleigh Barty (QLD) and Australian Fed Cup player Arina Rodionova (VIC) will feature in the Women’s doubles final after winning their semifinal today.
It was a nervous start from the young Aussies as Aiava and Tjandramulia traded breaks in the opening two games of their semifinal. With both players settling down to hold their next service games, it was Aiava who broke to go up 3-2. She held onto the momentum to roll through the set, taking it 6-2. In the second set, Aiava continued her good form, never really allowing Tjandramulia into the match. She closed out the match 6-2 and will now play for her first ITF Pro tour title.
In the final she will face Japan’s Eri Hozumi who accounted for Sherazad Reix (FRA). Reix had to return today to complete her quarterfinal against second seed Jia-Jing Lu (CHN ) after leading by a set when it was suspended due to bad light last night. After closing out the second set, she earned herself a semifinal match up with Hozumi. Hozumi came out of the blocks quickly running away with the first set 6-2. With the scores locked at 3-3, Hozumi secured the break and went out to a 5-3 lead. She was unable to close it out though, with Reix making a comeback to force a tiebreak. Hozumi rebounded, to take the breaker 7-3 and move into the final.
In the doubles semifinals, Barty and Rodionova had a tough match with qualifiers Anna Bondar (HUN) and Tena Lukas (CRO). The Aussies looked in control in the first set taking it 6-1, however the tables turned quickly as the qualifiers responded to level the match winning the second 6-2. Barty and Rodionova proved too strong in the supertiebreak winning it 10-5 to secure a place in the final. They will play second seeds Kanae Hisami (JPN) and Varatchaya Wongteanchai (THA) after they defeated Tjandramulia and Naiktha Bains (QLD).
In qualifying action at the ACT Claycourt International #2 it was a good day for Canberra’s Ashley Keir and Kaitlin Staines after they both won their first round matches. Keir defeated Karolina Wlodarczak (VIC) 6-2, 2-0 ret, while Staines defeated fellow Canberran Sarina Kang.
Entry into the Canberra Tennis Centre is free. The singles final for ACT Claycourt International #1 will be played, not before 1pm, while the doubles is not before 3pm. Qualifying matches for the ACT Claycourt International #2 will commence at 10am.
Tournament draws and the order of play for ACT Claycourt International #1 can be found here.
Tournament draws and the order of play for ACT Claycourt International #2 can be found here
Live scoring is available here. Live streaming is available here
The ACT Claycourt International #1 and #2 will be held at the Canberra Tennis Centre from March 12-27. Each tournament will offer $25,000 in prizemoney and will be held on the recently redeveloped European clay courts.
The tournaments were announced in May, 2015 as part of the Tennis ACT calendar of events secured through the redevelopment of the Canberra Tennis Centre.
The redeveloped Canberra Tennis Centre features 28 tennis courts – including synthetic grass, Italian clay and hardcourt surfaces – as well as four ANZ Tennis Hot Shots courts.
For more information about the Australian Pro Tour visit tennis.com.au/protour
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