Jaimee Fourlis (Vic) has claimed her second Pro Tour title after taking out the ACT Claycourt International #2 at the Canberra Tennis Centre. Fourlis proved too strong for Ellen Perez (NSW) prevailing 6-3 6-2 in just over one hour.
Fourlis came out of the blocks firing, breaking Perez in the second game. Perez managed to break back to level the set at 3-3 before handing in straight back to Fourlis. The Victorian then closed out the opening set 6-3.
After consecutive breaks to start the second, things were on serve until Fourlis secured the break to go up 4-2. From there the 18-year-old held her nerve to close out the match and claim her second title.
Fourlis admits it was tough to play against her fellow training partner and friend but was thrilled to claim the title in Canberra.
“Today was a very tough match for both of us, we share the same coach, we train with one another all the time, so I’m really pleased with how today went.
“It feels really good to have another $25,000 title under my belt. It’s been a really tough week and I’m just really relieved that I could finish it with a win. It’s not every day you get to win a tournament so I’ll definitely cherish this moment,” Fourlis added.
After spending much of 2017 focusing on Year 12 studies, Fourlis only has a handful of points to defend over the coming months, but isn’t focusing too much on her ranking.
“As I mature and get better as a player, my ranking will take care of itself and hopefully I’ll see my ranking rise.
Fourlis and Perez will now travel to Europe together for a series of USD$25,000 Pro Tour and WTA events, before hopefully heading to Roland Garros to play qualifying.
“Who knows, if I have my ranking down by then, French qualifying would be unbelievable,” Fourlis said.
In the women’s doubles, Kaylah McPhee (Qld) combined with Irina Fetecau (ROU) to win her maiden ITF Pro Tour doubles title after the pairing edged out fourth seeds Pia Konig (AUT) and Michika Ozeki (JPN) 6-1 4-6 10-5.
ACT Claycourt International #1 was won by Slovenia’s Dalila Jakupovic who defeated Australia’s Destanee Aiava (Vic) – full recap
ACT Claycourt International by the numbers
- 16 days of tennis
- 121 entrants from 11 countries
- 149 matches
- Play was only suspended due to bad weather on three occasions, all on the same day.
- 1560 bottle of water consumed
- Five Lennock Jaguar and Land Rover courtesy cars made 348 trips
- 19 volunteers, 7 tournament staff and 33
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