The first of Perth’s Women’s Pro Tour events, the Perth Tennis International #1, gets underway this Sunday at the State Tennis Centre, with the field boasting an impressive line-up of international talent from 22 different countries, headlined by top seed, and world number 143, Fangzhou Liu (CNH).
21 year old Liu, who narrowly missed out on qualifying for the main draw of this year’s Australian Open, is coming off the back of a successful 2016, winning the $10K Nanjing ITF and making the finals of four events on the Chinese Pro Tour circuit, including the $50K Quanzhou ITF tournament.
Liu will face some stiff competition from second seed Tamara Zidansek (SLO) who has had an impressive 12 months, winning 5 Pro Tour singles titles and 2 doubles titles in 2016. Zidansek, who is currently ranked 160 in the world, has also enjoyed a successful start to her Australian campaign, reaching the quarterfinals of the $60K Caterpillar Burnie International last week.
Jennifer Elie from the USA will also make her return to Perth, seeded number 15 in the draw. Elie made the Semi-Finals at last year’s event, defeating hometown favourite, Storm Sanders (AUS) in the quarterfinals.
Despite the strength of the international contingent, the Australian line-up is not to be underestimated.
Jaimee Fourlis (AUS), returns to Perth to defend her title, after last year winning the Perth Tennis International #1 as a qualifier. Fourlis has had a dream start to 2017, earning a wildcard into the main draw of the Australian Open where she progressed to the second round, before eventually losing to Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 2-6,1-6. Fourlis became the youngest Australian female to win a match at Melbourne Park in nine years.
WA locals, Storm Sanders (AUS) and Maddison Inglis (AUS) will look to capitalise on their youth and home ground advantage as they compete for their share of $50,000 in prize money over the next fortnight. The pair made it through to the singles quarterfinals of the Perth event last year, but have since had significant experience and success on the circuit, with Inglis advancing to the quarterfinals of the $25K Cairns Tennis International in October, and Sanders combining with fellow West Aussie, Jessica Moore to clinch the female doubles title at the Canberra International.
Joining the fierce Aussie contingent in the qualifying draw is Victoria’s Olivia Rogowska who has a solid record at WA Pro Tour events, winning the Esperance Tennis International twice, and making it to the Final of both the Kalgoorlie and Margaret River events. Rogowska will be battling for a place in the main draw alongside fellow Aussies Sara Tomic, Alison Bai, Priscilla Hon, Abbie Myers and Kimberley Birrell, who recently won Female Junior Athlete of the Year at the Newcombe Medal.
The surprise packet in this year’s qualifying draw is former world number 18, Alexandra Stevenson (USA). Stevenson made it to the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 1999 as a qualifier, the first women in the open era to do so, and won her first doubles title with Serena Williams in Leipzig, Germany in 2002. After a prolonged shoulder injury, Stevenson is currently ranked 619 in the world, and is back on the circuit, currently playing the Australian Pro Tour events in Burnie & Launceston. Stevenson is best known for her powerful serves and being daughter to American basketball legend, Julius Erving (Dr. J).
Tournament Director, Loretta Hughes is thrilled with this year’s line-up of players.
“It’s fantastic to see such a strong field for the Perth Tennis International. These events launch the players into the world of professional tennis, and allow spectators to become familiar with some of the future champions of our game” Ms Hughes said.
“After the success of last year’s event, we are so excited to see some of the best emerging talent in Australia, and around the world, come back to Perth to battle for valuable world ranking points and a share of the $50K prize pool. We hope that the local community will once again head down to witness some of the finest local and international talent right here in our own backyard” Ms Hughes added.
Qualifying for the Perth Tennis International #1 will begin on Sunday 12 February, and the main draw on Tuesday 14 February with play commencing at 9.00am each day (time TBC).
This event will be immediately followed by the Perth Tennis International #2, commencing on Sunday 19 February.
The Perth Pro Tour provides international and national professional and aspiring pro players a competitive opportunity to earn world ranking points and share of $50,000 in prize money across the two week swing.
Entry is free to all events.
There will also be a free live stream so people can catch all the action from home.
Live scores of all Australian Pro Tour events are available at www.tennis.com.au/protour/scores
Live streaming of selected events can be viewed at: www.tennis.com.au/protour.
For more information about the Australian Pro Tour, Tennis Australia or the players visit www.tennis.com.au/protour
For more information on the ITF Pro Circuit visit www.itftennis.com.
For Australian Pro Tour score updates follow @oztennisresults on Twitter. For all tennis news follow @tennisaustralia or like us on Facebook.
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