James Duckworth (NSW) and Astra Sharma (WA) are the 2023 City of Playford Tennis International champions after taking out the singles titles in Elizabeth East, South Australia today.
Fourth seed Duckworth defeated Chak Lam Coleman Wong (HKG) 7-5 7-5 to claim back-to-back ATP Challenger Tour titles. The win also sees Duckworth become the first two-time City of Playford Tennis International champion.
“It was a really difficult match. Coleman has been playing great this whole week,” Duckworth said.
“It’s my third time in Playford. I have really good memories here and I really enjoy playing on Centre Court. It’s a great court, the conditions suit me well and I get good crowd support. Having people out here cheering for me really helps in those big moments and I’ve really enjoyed coming back.
“I’ve never won back-to-back weeks before, so to consistently put together 10 good matches is a real confidence boost.”
On the women’s side, third seed Sharma overcame Joanna Garland (TPE) 7-6(6) 6-0 in just over an hour and a half. The win saw Sharma claim her eighth ITF World Tennis Tour title and her second singles title for 2023.
“It means a lot to have won the title this week. It was a really tricky match, Joanna is a really good player coming off a lot of wins,” Sharma said.
“In that first set, she had me on the ropes and I was pretty lucky to get out of it. I managed to find a little bit of rhythm early in the second and get ahead quickly.
“The tournament was amazing. The hospitality has been unbelievable, I felt really looked after. The conditions were a bit tricky with the wind this week, but the people and the tournament really made up for it.”
“On behalf of the City of Playford, I wish to congratulate the winners of the 2023 City of Playford Tennis International, James Duckworth and Astra Sharma,” City of Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said.
“We are proud to host the tennis international at the Playford Tennis Centre and support an event that is foreshadowing great success for many world-class players who have gone on to reach the pinnacle of the sport at grand slam events.
“With the strongest player line up this tournament has seen, we have had an incredible week of competition with all players putting on a great spectacle for the people of Playford and our visitors as well as a fantastic Fun at the Finals family event to celebrate the last day of the tournament.
“I wish all players from this year’s event every success as they head into the summer of tennis and look forward to another successful City of Playford Tennis International in 2024.”
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