28 February 2018 | Tennis West

The Perth Tennis International #1 main draw kicked off on Tuesday, 13 February 2018. With a total of nine Australians in the mix, day one saw wildcard Maddison Ingis (WA) defeat Tereza Mrdeza [7] (CRO) 6-3 6-4. The second Australian to progress to round two was Jamiee Fourlis (VIC) who defeated fellow Aussie Lisa Mays (NSW) 6-0 6-1.

Day two saw the Australian force start strong, with Ellen Perez (NSW) leading the way, taking only 68 minutes to move through to the second round, defeating Himari Sato (JPN) 6-1 6-4.

The highly anticipated match up between qualifier Alison Bai (ACT) and Laura Robson (GBR) saw Robson get out of the blocks quickly, taking a 5-2 lead in just over 20 minutes, taking the first set 6-2. Ultimately Robson proved too strong, taking the match 6-2 6-4.

The loss of the fourth, fifth and seventh seeds on day two opened up the draw for Australian girls Maddison Inglis (WA) and Jaimee Fourlis (VIC). Perth-born Inglis defeated unseeded Valeria Savinykh (RUS) in straight sets 6-3 6-4, moving Maddison through to the quarterfinals.

“It’s always good to get a win, especially at home,” Inglis, 20, said. “It’s really nice to have my family and my coaches here”.

“I train on these courts every day and I’m used to the wind here, unlike some of the other girls,” she added.

As for Victorian Jaimee Fourlis, she defeated Japan’s Ayano Shimizu 6-3 6-4 to set up a clash with Russian second seed Irina Khromacheva, who had too much for NSW’s Ellen Perez.

On Quarterfinals Day Maddison Inglis (WA) served first and was broken immediately by Gabriella Taylor (GBR). However Inglis fought back and gained momentum, going on the win the match 6-3 6-1 and secure herself a place in the semi-finals.

The match up between Jaimee Fourlis (VIC) and Irina Khromacheva [2] (RUS) saw Fourlis hold early, but she lost her serve in the third game. It took a few more games before Fourlis was able to force an error from Kromacheva and return the score for 5 all. To her chagrin, Fourlis lost her serve in the next game, and then the set. Kromachev secured the win, defeating Fourlis 7-5 6-3.

The semifinals saw Maddison Inglis (WA) take on Irina Khromacheva [2] (RUS). Kromacheva used her wide serve and drop shot with confidence to take the first set 6-0. Inglis looked determined in the second set, displaying her ability to put away winners with accurate drive volleys. Unable to find the spot with her groundstroked in the last few games, Inglis went down 6-0 6-4.

After knocking out local favourite Maddison Inglis in the semifinals, Russian Irina Khromacheva went one further, taking the Perth Tennis International #1 title on Sunday, 18 February 2018 with a straight set defeat of Britain’s Katy Dunne.

Khromacheva, 22, was dominant in the final against Dunne, winning the match 6-2 6-3 in just 76 minutes.

“We’re close to the same age, but we’ve never played each other before.” Khromacheva said. “I just played my game and I’m very happy it worked out.”

In an all-Australian final, the doubles title was won in dramatic circumstances by second seeds Jessica Moore and Ellen Perez. The two were staring down the barrel of two match points down 9-7 in the deciding match tiebreaker against Olivia Tjandramulia and Belinda Woolcock, when Woolcock leapt for a high volley, only to fall awkwardly and suffer a knee injury. Unable to continue, the pair conceded the injury.

Read all the highlights from the Perth Tennis International #2 here.