Canberra local Alison Bai is through to the second round of the ACT Claycourt International #2 after defeating fellow Australian Alexandra Bozovic in straight sets on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old was too strong for Bozovic, with the Canberran’s ten aces helping her to a 6-3 6-4 victory in one hour and twenty-three minutes.
After losing in the first round of the ACT Claycourt International #1 last week, Bai has been working hard on her mentality, something she was particularly pleased with in today’s victory.
“Definitely the way I handled myself mentally. Last week I put a lot of pressure on myself trying to do well obviously. Last tournament I played in Canberra was in October last year where I made semifinals so I was definitely putting a lot of pressure on myself.
“Obviously crashing out first round in singles and doubles wasn’t ideal, so I came in with a new mentality and this being the last week of the Australian Pro Tour I pretty much just went out and tried to do the things that I have been practicing, tried to be a bit more assertive and I have executed so it was pretty good.”
The World No.502 was also happy with how she is playing on the clay, given she hasn’t had too much experience on the playing surface.
“I wouldn’t say clay is my best surface, I’ve kind of avoided playing on it but the clay here in Canberra is really good, I reckon it’s definitely one of the best in Australia and very similar to the ones in Europe so if I can get more comfortable on it it’ll be good.”
Bai will play Australian Zoe Hives [6] in the next round, who also happens to be her doubles partner. Hives beat Australian qualifier Ivana Popovic 7-5 6-1 to get set up the second round clash.
Bai knows that she will be in for a tough match on Thursday, and will have to put her friendship with Hives aside.
“It will be really interesting, we know each other really well, practice a lot together, especially over the summer because we were playing doubles together a lot, we both know each other’s game really well.”
“Last time I can remember playing her was probably about three or four years ago on clay in Melbourne and she won that match against me. I’ve beaten her on the grass in Mildura so pretty much one all… So we’ll see how we go, it will be fun, it will be really competitive and definitely looking forward to it.”
Elsewhere, 15-year-old Canberran Annerly Poulos was unfortunately knocked out in her first round clash against Romanian Irina Fetecau, going down 6-4 6-1.
Top seed Gabriella Taylor will begin her campaign tomorrow, along with Australians Ellen Perez [7] and Jaimee Fourlis [8].
Entry to the Canberra Tennis Centre is free with play to commence at 10am
Draws and order of play can be found here
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