The Canberra Velocity Women’s team are ready to commence their bid for the Asia Pacific Tennis League (ATL) national title. Velocity will take part in the National final against 7 other teams from Australia and the Asia Pacific region at Melbourne Park on January 26 and 27. The team will play the Flagstaff Freighters who are the number 2 seeds in the opening round.
Velocity will be led by WTA ranked players Alexandra Nancarrow and Alison Bai. Nancarrow has had a busy few weeks preparation as she was granted doubles wildcards into the Hobart International and Australian Open. While she was defeated in the first round of both event, the opportunity has given her vital match practice against some of the top doubles players in the world. Bai will also be ready to continue her red hot form for Velocity after going through the NSW/ACT conference undefeated in both singles and doubles.
In speaking about the National final, Alison Bai said “It’s great to be back in Melbourne for the National finals again and we are looking forward to getting out on court against some quality opponents. Our goal is to improve on last year and we are looking for a top 4 finish.”
Under the ATL national finals rules, teams are able to include one wildcard player in their lineup. Velocity has been able to secure WTA ranked 553 Abbie Myers, who had played at the No 1 position for the UTS Lizards, the team Velocity defeated in the conference final. Myers was also granted a wildcard into the Australian Open doubles, and played qualifying in the singles event at the Brisbane International. Myers is expected to line up at the No 3 position for Velocity.
Tyra Calderwood who has again had a solid year for Velocity will form an important part of the singles and doubles lineup. Maria Vais, Imogen Clews, and Lauren Simpson are also available to play for Velocity.
Velocity’s first round opponents, the Flagstaff Freighters won the South West Conference. The team features numerous WTA players including Katarzyna Piter from Poland who has a current WTA ranking of 177 and Dia Evtimova from Bulgaria ranked 313. Jessica Moore (WTA 330) and Viktorija Rajicic (WTA 619) are also expected to line up for the Freighters.
Monday 26th January
Canberra Velocity v Flagstaff Freighters – Melbourne Park – 5pm
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