30 October 2016 | Tennis ACT

Queensland’s Sara Tomic, Victorian Sally Peers and NSW player Seone Mendez, plus Abigail Tere-Apisah from Papua New Guinea have been awarded wildcards into the main draw of the Apis Canberra International ITF women’s event, starting Tuesday 1 November at the Canberra Tennis Centre in Lyneham.

Tere-Apisah has shown great form in 2016, shaving half of her world ranking points from 931 to a current career high of 543 in the world. Since September, the 24-year-old has reached three semi-final rounds at Australian ITF events including her first ever appearance in a $50,000 ITF event, Bendigo, Cairns and Brisbane, plus the quarter-finals in Tweed Heads.

“It’s been a good couple of weeks,” Tere-Apisah said. “I’ve gained a lot more confidence and I’ve just trusted my game more as the matches have gone on. I’ve had good preparation and it just gets better and better.”

After spending four years in the US at Georgia State University, Tere-Apisah, aged 24, took a year off before playing the Pro Tour last year.

“I didn’t do too well,” she admitted. “but this year I’ve had a good training environment with the right people around me and it’s working out.”

Tomic (QLD), sister of world no. 25 Bernard Tomic, has had a good year on the ITF circuit, with doubles and singles titles in Egypt. 18-year-old Tomic reached the semi-finals in Mildura and semi’s at the Australian Open Junior Championships.

“We are really pleased to announce the inclusion of another three Australian women and a very strong international contender to the field for the Apis Canberra International,” said Tournament Director Ross Triffitt.

Rounds 1 and 2 of women’s qualifying commenced today and will play out through to Tuesday November 1.

The men’s event continues today, with round 3 of qualifying now underway. The men’s main draw will be released today and is scheduled to start at 10am tomorrow.

Today’s draw can be found on the Australian Pro Tour website. And for live results and draws, go to the ITF Pro Circuit Canberra page.

Entry to the Canberra Tennis Centre is free for all five Pro-Tour 2016/2017 events, with a gold coin donation upon entry on finals weekend.