By David Packman
Saturday 28 February 2015
Melbourne teen Omar Jasika has reached his second ITF Futures singles final after defeating unseeded American Alexander Sarkissian at the 2015 Coopers Adelaide International on Saturday.
“It’s been a good week for me so far,” Jasika said. “Hopefully it’s about to get even better.”
The sixth seed had not dropped a set leading into his semifinal but was required to come back from a set down to register the 3-6 6-3 6-1 victory. While both players found the windy conditions difficult at times, it was the Jasika’s consistency from the baseline that eventually won the day.
The reigning junior US Open champion will now face top seed Brydan Klein, who was too consistent for Victorian Jacob Grills, powering to a straight sets win 6-2 6-2. Despite the 235 places that separate them in the ATP world rankings, Jasika claimed the honours in their only meeting so far – defeating the Brit in straight sets in Cairns late last year.
While that win might bring about a degree of confidence, the 17-year-old is remaining measured. “Maybe a little bit,” he said. “But it’s going to be a tough match either way. I’m going to have to just go out there and fight and see what happens.”
Regardless of the result, the match will certainly make for entertaining fare, with Jasika attempting to quell Klein’s potency while looking for an opportunity to make use of his powerful forehand. Meanwhile, Klein will be hoping to use his serve to dictate play and keep the young Aussie from turning the match into a baseline grind.
The final starts at 11am on Sunday and will be streamed live at tennis.com.au.
Konig to face top seed Jang in Clare Valley final
Seventh seed Pia Konig has booked her place in the final of the 2015 Clare Valley Tennis International after eventually getting the better of China’s Yan Wang on Saturday, 6-3 1-6 6-3.
The Austrian was out the blocks quickly in the hot and blustery conditions, breaking early to take the first set, however the eighth seed fought back to level the match at a set apiece. Konig again took the early advantage in the decider, racing out to a 5-0 lead in the final set, before overcoming a slight wobble at the finish line to get the job done.
“My first set was perfect, it went really well,” said Konig. “Then I had chances in the first game of the second set but didn’t take them – and after that, she got confident.
In the third, she made a bad start, but I got a bit nervous in the end and thankfully she made some mistakes.”
Konig now faces teenage top seed Su Jeong Jang, who has eased her way through to the final after taking out surprise semifinalist Jennifer Elie in straight sets. The Korean was simply too consistent for the American qualifier, winning 6-1 6-2.
Aside from an epic quarterfinal battle against Aussie Jessica Moore, the world No. 265 has made short work of her opponents this week, and should be favoured in the final. However, the pair has never previously played, and Konig – despite her lower ranking – will ensure the top seed doesn’t have things all her own way.
“I’ve never seen her before,” the 21-year-old said of Jang. “I just saw a few points and she’s not making too many mistakes. I will just have to make her run and see what happens.”
The final commences at 11am on Sunday.
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