Canberra’s No.1 female player Alison Bai has set up a second round clash with top seed Arina Rodionova at the Apis Canberra International on Thursday.
Bai, the world no. 601, stormed into the second round today with a 6-0 6-0 win over Japanese qualifier Ramu Ueda, ranked two places below her.
Bai proved too strong from the baseline, winning in just 52 minutes.
“I knew if I started well and served well at the beginning, put her under pressure and take time away from her, that she would kind of crumble which is what pretty much happened in the end,” Bai said.
“I was cruising 6-0 4-0, I just tried to keep my concentration and not relax and tried to keep the pressure on her, otherwise it could have been a different story.”
The 27-year-old will play Russian-born Australian Rodionova in the second round.
Rodionova, the women’s top seed, cruised past Brisbane qualifier Priscilla Hon 6-2 6-2 in less than an hour.
Bai, who has lost to Rodionova twice last year, both times in Canberra, said she has nothing to lose against the 116th ranked player.
“She’s definitely playing with a lot of confidence … I’m not going to worry who’s down the other end, I’m just trying to serve well and we’ll go from there.
“She’s quite crafty and pretty smart on court, but I’ll just take it one point at a time and see what happens.”
Bai and Rodionova will be the third match on centre court (not before 1.00pm).
In other matches, fourth seed Destanee Aiava (VIC) survived a scare before beating Masa Jovanovic (VIC) 3-6 6-3 6-3, while former world No.1 junior Luke Saville (SA) fell to Queensland qualifier Gavin Van Peperzeel.
Ellen Perez (NSW) upset number third seed and 2015 champion Asia Muhammad (USA), while seventh seed Isabelle Wallace (AUS) was overcome by Jennifer Ellie (USA).
Seventh seed, John Millman (QLD) was forced to withdraw moments before his first round clash with Sasi Kumar Mukund (IND) due to a shoulder injury. 2015 Canberra International champion replaced Millman as a lucky loser and is now through to the second round after defeating Mukund in straight sets.
Alex Bolt (SA), Omar Jasika (VIC), Lizette Cabrera (QLD), Kaylah McPhee (QLD), Olivia Tjandramulia (QLD) and Olivia Rogowska (VIC) all recorded victories today.
Play will continue on Thursday at the Canberra Tennis Centre from 10am with free entry.
The full order of play and draws can be found here
Live streaming for the women can be found here. Live scoring for the women’s event can be found here.
Live streaming and live scoring for the men’s event can be found here
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