Canberra’s James Frawley and Alison Bai have posted huge wins today at the East Hotel Canberra Challenger and Hobart International respectively.
Frawley earned his first ATP Challenger win when he defeated alternate David Barclay on centre court at the Canberra Tennis Centre. Initially Frawley was drawn to face Rhett Purcell in the opening round, before the New Zealander withdrew with Barclay replacing him in the draw.
After Frawley won the first set 6-4, he held a match point in the second set tiebreak, before Barclay fought back to force a third set. Frawley bounced back to claim the third set 6-2 and set up a second round match with world No. 91 and fourth seed Ilya Ivashka on Monday.
The 24-year-old was pleased to get the win and is looking forward to facing Ivashka on his home courts.
“Really excited to get through, it was a little bit tight there in the second, but I got through, I played a really good third so I’m really happy.
“I’ve been in main draw a few times but I’ve never got a first round win so I’m pumped to get that one under my belt.
“It’s pretty cool that I get to play him [Ivashka] at home in Canberra. I’m definitely looking forward to it, it’s going to be a good challenge,” Frawley added.
Third seed Jiri Vesely will open up his East Hotel Canberra Challenger campaign on Monday, taking on Marco Bortolotti (ITA) who accounted for Australian wildcard Thomas Bosancic today. Monday’s order of play for the East Hotel Canberra Challenger is available here.
Meanwhile Alison Bai will make her WTA debut at the Hobart International after coming through qualifying. Yesterday Bai posted her first top 100 win when she defeated Anastasia Potapova (TUS) in straight sets. The Canberran backed up the win today when she defeated Australia’s Olivia Rogowska in three sets 6-4 6-7(5) 6-1.
The 28-year-old will face a tough test in the opening round against sixth seed Alize Cornet (FRA). Bai will also join forces with rising Canberra star Annerly Poulos, with the pair granted a wildcard into the women’s doubles.
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