Three days of qualifying matches brought the world-class European clay courts at the Canberra Tennis Centre alive over the Canberra Day long weekend ahead of the ACT Claycourt International 2017 event #1 (14-19 March).
The full schedule of matches was not dampened by the odd shower or two and with the player’s sign in jam packed beyond bursting it was back-to-back action.
The Canberra clay attracted 68 players at sign in for the first event, forcing four alternates out of competition. A rare sight on the Australian tour and a first for Canberra Pro Tour events.
World No.225 Marc Polmans (VIC) and world No.252 Omar Jasika (VIC) were unexpected sign-ins for the competition. Both progressed through qualifying after brief straight set victories and an early retirement to take the top seed positions in the event #1 main draw.
The 18-year-old National Academy member Dimitri Morogiannis, was one of four local players and coaches taking to the clay over the long-weekend, alongside Nathan Jamieson, Jarred Wynan and Zac Donaldson.
Morogiannis was the only local making it through the first round of qualifying on Saturday after his opponent Hassan Bakkar (VIC) retired at 6-1 3-0. Sunday saw Morogiannis come out firing against Omar Fields (VIC) taking the first set to a tie-break. Fields proved too strong, defeating Morogiannis in straight sets 7-6(3) 6-1.
A second round highlight was the sheer determination on show between fourth seed Aaron Addison (AUS) and Erik Holt-Crossman (AUS). After a tie-break a-piece, Addison took the match 6-7(6) 7-6(7) 6-3, in what was the longest match of the qualifying competition.
The final round of qualifying featured eight of the top nine seeds, with only number three seed, Darren Polkinghore (VIC) heading home early.
The first two days of the main draw will feature Jasika first up at 10am on court 8 against promising junior Lucas Vuradin (AUS).
ACT Claycourt International event #1: Main Draw Day 1
Order of Play
Tuesday 14 March 2017
10:00am Lucas VURADIN (AUS) vs Omar JASIKA (AUS) [3] MS
10:00am Steven DE WAARD (AUS) vs Fernando ROMBOLI (BRA) MS
10:00am Jason KUBLER (AUS) vs Sora FUKUDA (JPN) MS
10:00 Jake DELANEY (AUS) vs Thales TURINI (BRA) MS
Not Before 11:30 Jose STATHAM (NZL) [7] vs Aaron ADDISON (AUS) MS
Not Before 11:30 Rhett PURCELL (GBR) vs Maverick BANES (AUS) [8] MS
A full round of doubles will also be played tomorrow. Tournament information including full Order of Play & Draws can be found on the #1 tournament website and #2 tournament website.
The ACT Claycourt International 2017 is part of the Australian Pro Tour, a series of professional tennis events that bridge junior events and the ATP/WTA Tour, providing an opportunity for players to earn their first world ranking points.
For more information about the Australian Pro Tour, Tennis Australia or the players visit www.tennis.com.au . Watch the Canberra Pro Tour Live Stream and keep up to date with live scores through www.tennis.com.au/protour/scores
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