28 February 2018 | Tennis West

The Perth Tennis International #2 main draw got underway on Tuesday, 20 February 2018, with a total of eight Aussies amongst the list. Crowds were treated to a 2 hour and 40 minute first round match between Jessica Moore (WA) and Mayo Hibi (JPN) [3]. Moore’s topspin groundstrokes were a delight to watch but ultimately Hibi proved too strong on the defensive returns, defeating Moore 6-4 7-6(7).

Qualifier Olivia Tjandramulia (QLD) was forced into errors from the top seed Eri Hozumi (JPN), losing 6-2 6-0. Meanwhile Perth local Maddison Inglis looked confident against Swiss teenager Lulu Sun with a 6-2 6-0 victory.

Round two saw Maddison Inglis (WA) and Jaimee Fourlis (VIC) flying the Australian flag. Inglis returned to the court with force, breaking Jaqueline Cristian (ROU) [5] in her first service game. As the players traded service breaks, Inglis held to take the first set 6-3. The second set was a carbon copy of the first, but with Cristian holding to take the set 7-5. The rallies were intense throughout the match, taking a toll on Inglis. Her courage was admirable but not enough, and she fell to Cristian 6-3 7-5 6-2.

Great Britain’s Gabriella Taylor eliminated top seed Eri Hozumi (JPN) 6-3 6-3.

As for Jaimee Fourlis she was superior with court coverage and power from the baseline, cruising past fellow qualifier Risa Ushijima (JPN)  6-2 6-3.

“This year is all about getting matches and learning for me, so it’s been a really good start so far. I can’t wait for the rest of the year” said Jaimee Fourlis.

In the quaterfinals Gabriella Taylor (GBR) continued to be the seed slayer, beating Tereza Mrdeza (CRO) [6] to advance to the semi-finals 6-4 6-3.

Jaqueline Adina Cristian (ROU) [5] took almost 3 hours to defeat Katy Dunne (GBR) 6-7(5) 6-3 7-6(4).  Dunne eventually became unwell in the third set and unable to find the strength to win the deciding tie-break.

Jamiee Fourlis (VIC) was looking to avenge her loss from the previous week to Perth Tennis International #1 champion Irina Khromacheva (RUS) [2], and found herself making easy shots from the start of the match. Khromacheva looked drained and retired 0-5 suffering from a virus.

The semi-finals were intensely competitive and occasionally dramatic with Gabriella Taylor (GBR) powering through to defeat Jaqueline Adina Cristian (ROU) [5] 6-2 7-5.

With Jaimee Fourlis (VIC) the last remaining Australian, she struggled to find the corners. Myrtille Georges (FRA) [8] capitalised on her errors with 7-5 6-1 win.

On Sunday, 25 February 2018, unseeded Gabriella Taylor (GBR) claimed her second Australian Pro Tour title for the month, winning the Perth Tennis International #2. The teenager backed up her title in Launceston, defeating Myrtille Georges (FRA) 6-2 7-5.

“The past few weeks have given me a lot of confidence. It’s been a good run,” Taylor said. “I was out for a couple of months but I’ve started with a new team now and we’ve really clicked together. I’ve been working really hard and focusing on my game and the things I need to improve. If  the results come that’s a bonus.”

West Australian Jessica Moore (WA) delighted the home crowd by capturing the Perth Tennis International #2 doubles title with partner Olivia Tjandramulia (QLD), making it consecutive victories after claiming the Perth Tennis International #1 with partner Ellen Perez the previous week. Moore and Tjandramulia defeated Alison Bai (AUS) [4] and Jia-Jing LU (CHN) 7-5 6-7(8) [11-9].

Read all the highlights from the Perth Tennis International #1 here.