Australian Davis Cup team mates John Millman (QLD) and Jordan Thompson (NSW) who featured in Australia’s run to this year’s Davis Cup semifinal, will vie for USD$75,000 and prized world ranking points against 13 other nations at Apis Canberra International 2017.
Millman bounced back to the circuit after surgery to have a strong finish to 2017. He defeated Australian No.1 Nick Kyrgios (ACT) on the way to the third round at the US Open and represented Australia in the Davis Cup semifinal against Belgium.
“I’m looking forward to competing at the Apis Canberra International,” he said. “It has been a challenging year, but I’m happy with recent results that include doing well at the US Open and playing in my first Davis Cup for Australia, which was an amazing honour.”
Currently ranked 218, Millman is sure to rise up the rankings with no points to defend until May 2018.
“My big focus is staying healthy and getting back into the top 100. I’ve been managing my body the last month and am excited to get back on court in Canberra and enjoying the summer at home,” Millman added.
For the second year running, Thompson will be top seed, currently ranked 77 in the world. After achieving a career high ranking of world No.63 in February, Thompson is coming into the event after a solid 2017, which has seen him secure wins over then world number 1 Andy Murray (GBR) and Jack Sock (USA).
The duo will be joined by fellow Aussies Matthew Ebden (WA), Alex Bolt (SA), Marc Polmans (VIC), and Luke Saville (SA). Ebden has had a great 2017 climbing from 699 at the start of the year to currently sit just outside the world top 100 at 120. Polmans will look to continue his form in the Nation’s capital after making last year’s final along with back to back titles at the ACT Claycourt International #1 and #2 in March.
American’s Mitchell Krueger [ATP 184] and Noah Rubin [ATP 214], along with former top 100 player Taro Daniel (JPN) will lead the international contingent.
Qualifying will see big names take to the court, with former top 200 player Matthew Barton (NSW) leading the way for Australia, while Victorian Andrew Harris is sure to be full of confidence after taking out his maiden pro tour title at the Hutchinson Builders Toowoomba International. Canberra player James Frawley will also line up alongside Harry Bourchier (TAS) who trains at the Canberra Tennis Centre.
Apis Canberra International Tournament Director, Kim Kachel, is pleased with the lineup.
“We have a blockbuster field, with five current or former top 100 players set for the Apis Canberra International, and to also have Davis Cup players here is really exciting,” he said.
“There are so many players returning to Canberra, which is a positive sign they are enjoying Lyneham’s world class facility”.
Kachel is encouraging Canberrans to get down to the Canberra Tennis Centre saying, “The event is a great opportunity for the community to watch world class tennis in their own backyard”.
About the event
Part of The Australian Pro Tour, the next generation of top tennis players are set to compete when the Apis Canberra International kicks off in Canberra form October 28 – November 5 with an ATP USD$75,000 event (Men) and ITF USD$60,000 event (Women).
Players from the world’s top 200, and a crop of rising tennis stars from Australia and across the globe, will compete for significant prize money and valuable world ranking points, right here in Lyneham at the Canberra Tennis Centre.
The Australian Pro Tour is a collaboration of International Tennis Federation (ITF) Women’s and Men’s, and ATP Challenger (Men’s) professional tournaments and is integral to introducing players to professional tennis and providing pathways to the WTA and ATP Tours.
Men’s qualifying begins on Saturday 28 October and women’s qualifying commences Sunday 29 October while, main draw action is scheduled to commence on Monday October 30 for men and Tuesday October 31 for women. The main draws are subject to change until Monday 30 October 2017.
Finals weekend will be Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 November, with doubles scheduled on Saturday and singles on Sunday. There will be a free Kids Tennis Day on Saturday 4 November from 9.00am-11.00am .
Entry to the event is free each day, with a gold coin donation on finals weekend.
You can follow the Australian Pro Tour score updates on Twitter from @oztennisresults.
For information on the Apis Canberra International, click here. For information of the Australian Pro Tour, click here.
For information of the ATP Challenger circuit, click here. For information on the ITF Pro Circuit visit itftennis.com.
Follow Tennis ACT on Twitter @tenniscanberra or @TennisACT on Facebook and Instagram.
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