Adelaide, Australia, 21 February 2021 | Leigh Rogers

Australia’s Storm Sanders has made a brilliant start at this week’s Adelaide International, recording her biggest singles win in seven years.

The 26-year-old wildcard scored a 6-2 4-6 6-3 victory against world No.66 Bernarda Pera in a first-round qualifying match today.

Pera entered the tournament in good form, having defeated former world No.1 Angelique Kerber at Australian Open 2021. But Sanders proved too difficult today for the 26-year-old American, closing out an impressive win in two hours and 14 minutes.

It is Sanders’ second career top-100 win and first since January 2014.

The world No.291 now plays American Caty McNally, the world No.113, tomorrow for a place in the main draw.

> READ: Draws revealed for Adelaide International

Ellen Perez also scored an impressive win today, defeating world No.98 Wang Yafan 6-1 6-4. It is the 25-year-old Perez’s fourth career top-100 win and first since September 2019. Perez, who is ranked No.238, will play fourth-seeded American Madison Brengle in the final qualifying round.

Maddison Inglis won an all-Australian battle against Belinda Woolcock, prevailing in two tight sets. The 23-year-old’s victory sets up a final round clash with third-seeded American Christina McHale.

Astra Sharma also advanced, scoring a three-set win against former world No.23 Lesia Tsurenko. The 25-year-old Australian now plays sixth-seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini in the final qualifying round.

Aussies in action

TODAY’S RESULTS

Women’s singles qualifying, first round
[11] Astra Sharma (AUS) d Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 6-4 4-6 6-1
[12] Maddison Inglis (AUS) d [WC] Belinda Woolcock (AUS) 6-4 6-4
Ellen Perez (AUS) d [7] Wang Yafan (CHN) 6-1 6-4
[WC] Storm Sanders (AUS) d [2] Bernarda Pera (USA) 6-2 4-6 6-3
[3] Christina McHale (USA) d [WC] Ivana Popovic (AUS) 6-4 6-4
[4] Madison Brengle (USA) d Destanee Aiava (AUS) 6-2 6-2
[5] Misaki Doi (JPN) d Arina Rodionova (AUS) 7-5 6-1
[8] Kaja Juvan (SLO) d Lizette Cabrera (AUS) 6-4 6-3
[10] Liudmila Samsonova (RUS) d [WC] Kimberly Birrell (AUS) 6-3 6-2

COMING UP

Women’s singles qualifying, final round
[11] Astra Sharma (AUS) v [6] Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
[12] Maddison Inglis (AUS) v [3] Christina McHale (USA)
Ellen Perez (AUS) v [4] Madison Brengle (USA)
[WC] Storm Sanders (AUS) v [9] Caty McNally (USA)