The Canberra Velocity Women’s team are looking to take out back to back titles in the NSW/ACT Conference of the Asia Pacific Tennis League. Velocity have gone undefeated after five rounds of play and are set to face the UTS Lizards for the title. The final will take place at City Community Tennis in Surry Hills on Friday at 6.00pm.
The team has been led be world number 490, Alison Bai who has been in outstanding form for Velocity. Bai has been undefeated in both singles and doubles, primarily playing at the number one position. World number 402, Alexandra Nancarrow made her debut for Velocity in Round 4 and is expected to line up at the top spot in Friday’s final. Tyra Calderwood has also been in great form over the 5 rounds, only dropping one match. Maria Vais and Imogen Clews are also expected to feature in Friday’s final.
Velocity have only faced the UTS Lizards once this season. It was a closely contested affair with the teams locked at 2 rubbers all after the singles. The doubles matches were then split to make it 3-3. A count back on sets saw Velocity awarded the win by 7 sets to 6. The Lizards are led by world number 572, Abbie Myers and also feature former WTA ranked players Lucie Kriegsmannova (career high 430) and Jess Engels (career high 926). Velocity will be boosted by the addition of Nancarrow to the line-up, who was unavailable to play last time the two teams met.
Velocity has been dominate in the remainder of the rounds this year. The Women got their season off to a strong start with a first round victory over the South East Smashers defeating the team 5-1. Velocity played the Smashers again in Round 4, handing the young team a heavy 6-0 defeat without dropping a set. Rounds 3 and 5 saw Velocity take 4-2 victories over the Sydney University Lions.
The two teams will be battling it out for $7,000 in prize money and the chance to play in the National final which will be held in Melbourne during the second week of the Australian Open.
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