Canberra local Annerly Poulos is one win away from entering the main draw after a gutsy win in tough conditions at the ACT Claycourt International #1.
The fifteen-year-old National Academy athlete claimed victory over twenty-one-year-old Marianna Zakarlyuk (UKR) 7-6 (4) 3-1 after the Ukrainian retired hurt due to a shoulder injury.
Both girls endured the incredibly windy conditions, with Poulos taking out the first set in a tight tiebreaker before going up a break early in the second.
The fifteen-year-old was pleased with her efforts, especially in the windy weather.
“I think I handled it pretty well, I’ve played many tournaments here and the conditions are the same so I’m kind of used to it. I adapt really easily so I was really happy with how I played out there.”
Poulos’ coach and National Academy Canberra Head Coach Todd Larkham was also impressed with how Poulos adapted to the conditions.
“Yeah it was really tough conditions, I mean the winds are gusting probably 70-80km out there, the clay is blowing up in your face, all the dust so it was really tough.
I think Annerly particularly handled it probably better. She was quite controlled with her shots, she didn’t try and hit the ball as hard as she does, so she pulled it back a bit and played really well to the conditions.”
Poulos will face top seed Ramu Ueda (JPN) in the final round of qualifying, who has only lost four games on her way to the last stage.
Poulos is feeling confident heading into the match.
“It’s going to be a tough match but yeah I’ll just go out there with a positive mind and hopefully I’ll get the win again.”
Fellow local Ashleigh Simes wasn’t so lucky in her match, going down 6-2 6-3 to former World No.472 Abbie Myers (NSW).
Australian’s Kaylah McPhee (QLD) and Maddison Inglis (WA) also progressed to the final round of qualifying.
Entry to the Canberra Tennis Centre is free with play to commence at 10am.
Qualifying draws and the order of play can be found here
Live scoring is available here
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