14 November 2014 | Tennis West

Jessica Moore is the sole Australian through to the quarterfinals at the 2014 Bendigo Tennis International after beating Japanese sixth seed Shuko Aoyama in straight sets, 6-2 7-6(6).

“I’m really happy with the way I performed today,” Moore said.

Moore took the early advantage and looked in control before Aoyama fought back to take the second set to a tiebreaker. Despite having to save three set points, the Aussie held firm and eventually took the match with her first opportunity.

“I was glad to turn the tiebreaker around and get away with it in straight sets, that’s for sure,” she said.

It’s a notable win for the 24-year-old West Australian – on a long comeback trail after a series of niggling injuries – and is further indication of a potential return to her best tennis after reaching the final in Toowoomba only last month.

“It’s taking its time, but my patience is slowly paying off,” Moore said of her return.

“I’m really enjoying playing at the moment.”

Moore will now take on Swede Susanne Celik, a semifinalist in the initial Bendigo event last week. Celik took out Cairns titlist Ayaka Okuno on Thursday and looks in solid form.

The pair has never met on tour before, with Moore giving the teenage Swede five years and over 100 ranking places.

“[Celik’s] a great competitor,” she said. “It’s going to be another tough match tomorrow. I’m going to have to come out and play my good tennis.”

Having lost in the Toowomba final and in Perth to Ellen Allgurin and also going down to Rebecca Peterson in Margaret River and last week in Bendigo, Moore is vowing to get some sweet Swedish revenge.

“I’ve lost four times to a Swede, so it’s about time!” she said.

The only other Aussie in action on Thursday was seventh seed Daria Garilova, who, after taking the first set, could not hold out China’s Fangzhou Liu, bowing out 4-6 6-2 6-3.