19 March 2015 | Tennis ACT

ACT and Canberra Velocity player, Alison Bai has taken out her first Pro Tour title after defeating Kimberley Birrell in the final of the 2015 Mildura Grand Tennis International on Sunday

“It’s definitely been a long time coming [winning a title].” Bai said. “It’s a great feeling but it’s just another stepping stone in my journey and in trying to be the best player I can.”

Bai has a strong history with the tournament after reaching the final last year, she went one step further in 2015 with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 win over lucky loser Birrell. 

 “I tried not to overthink it today,” Bai said. “Kimberly has great potential and she’s had an amazing week so I tried to just focus on my game and what I’ve been doing well.

“She was returning quite well but I knew if I stuck to my game plan, it would work pretty well.”

Bai was in great form all week, winning the title without dropping a set.  This week she will play in the 2015 Victorian Claycourt Championships where she is the number 3 seed, before turning her attention back to Pro Tour events in Mornington and Melbourne. 

Bai is currently ranked WTA 415 and after the win will go close to her career high ranking of 397 achieved in 2011.