![](https://www.tennis.com.au/act/files/2018/12/ACT-Boys_20181207_1841_700-x-450.jpg)
The December showdown is underway in Melbourne with a number of ACT athletes taking part. Held from December 1-16 the countries best have assembled at Melbourne Park to compete in more than 1400 matches starting from the 12/u Australian Championships all the way through to Australian Open 2019 Wildcard Play-off.
In week one, 15-year-old Annerly Poulos continued her stellar year making it through to the semifinals of the 18/u Australian Championships, and claiming the doubles title with Amber Marshall (SA). The win saw the pairing earn a position in the Australian Open Doubles Wildcard Play-off.
Poulos and Marshall faced fellow ACT player Alison Bai and Zoe Hives (Vic) in the opening round of the Wildcard Play-off. The experience of Bai and Hives came through with the thirc seeds winning the match 6-3 7-5. Bai and Hives will play their semifinal on Wednesday.
The 12/u and 14/u Australian Teams Championships also took place from 7-10 December. The 12 Girls team of Aliyah Dwyer, Isabella Andrews and Marqaylar Tere finished in eighth position, while Charlie Camus, Stellan Lindrud, and Hugh Taylor came ninth in the 12 Boys event. Sophie McDonald was part of a combined ACT/NSW team which earned ninth spot, while the 14 Boys team of Charlie Snow, Daniel McDonald and Connor Watts finished in 12th position.
This week will see the 12/u and 16/u Australian Championships take place with a number of ACT players in action. Stay up to date with all the latest from the December Showdown here