Melbourne Park, 6 December 2012 | Jaclyn Stacey

Despite having already secured an invitation to compete in the Australian Open 2013 Play-off event, which is the winning prize for the 18s champions, talented 18-year-old Abbie Myers has continued to play like her life depends on it this week.

The Sydneysider today fought through an impending cold and sore throat to fend off the challenges of her opponent, West Australian Astra Sharma, defeating her 6-4 6-4 on Court 5.

The match began with the two players holding serve for the first four games before a double fault by Sharma at 15-40 secured Myers the break.

> Check out the Optus 18s Australian Championships photos

It was the only break she needed, closing out the first set 6-4.

The second set began in a similar fashion as the first with both girls holding serve to 3-3 before Myers managed to capitalise on a break point opportunity at 30-40 on Sharma’s serve, sending a superb backhand down the line and taking the lead in the set.

Myers squandered her first two match point opportunities while serving for the match at 5-4 40-15, though succeeded on her third attempt, delivering a blistering serve that Sharma couldn’t do anything with and securing Myers her place in the quarterfinals.

“I did well considering how I’m feeling. I’ve started getting a cold and I’ve got a sore throat so in the first game I was puffing and it was just hard. But I think I did well considering.”

Myers’ confidence is sky high at the moment, with a junior ranking just outside of the top 50 and some good wins in Australia and overseas this year on the tour.

“I think I’ve done pretty well. I’ve won five $10,000 event doubles so I think I did pretty well. I think I’ve had a really solid year in the singles as well making a few quarterfinals and semis and yeah I think I’ve done pretty well this year.”

With two of those doubles wins coming in Turkey it is easy to understand why Myers is so passionate about the country, citing it as the favourite location tennis has given her the opportunity to visit.

“I love Turkey. It’s just so historic there. I’ve been to Gallipoli just to see what that was like and to see where our soldiers were and you know, it’s tough and it was just amazing. I just love Turkey.”

She relishes the opportunity to travel and play tournaments, with jetlag and long periods away from friends and family no issue.

“I love it [travelling]. I just love it. It’s amazing getting to meet new people and seeing how different people live and the culture and their ways of life, it’s just amazing.”

Myers’ goal for the 2013 season is to keep playing good tennis and work her way from a current world ranking of 686 to the top 300 on the professional tour.

The long-term goal is to make it to the top in her sport like her idols Kim Clijsters and Roger Federer.

“I love Kim Clijsters and Roger Federer. I don’t know, they’ve evolved the game so much, they’re just amazing to [watch] play. It’s just so fluid, it’s just amazing.”

On keeping motivated and focussed in the sport she says her passion and love of the game is all she requires.

“I just love the game. I love the competition out there. I love getting pumped up and getting into the other girl’s face. I just love it.”

Myers plays her quarterfinal match on Friday versus Lizette Cabrera and next week will compete in the Australian Open Play-off, hoping to gain a wildcard entry into the first Grand Slam of the year in January.

Myers is an avid Twitter user, and you can follow her @abbiejanem

> Get the latest 18s scores, draws and order of play here