Canberra local Alison Bai is through to the second round of the ACT Claycourt International #2 after defeating fellow Australian Alexandra Bozovic in straight sets on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old was too strong for Bozovic, with the Canberran\u2019s ten aces helping her to a 6-3 6-4 victory in one hour and twenty-three minutes.<\/p>\n
After losing in the first round of the ACT Claycourt International #1 last week, Bai has been working hard on her mentality, something she was particularly pleased with in today\u2019s victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefinitely the way I handled myself mentally. Last week I put a lot of pressure on myself trying to do well obviously. Last tournament I played in Canberra was in October last year where I made semifinals so I was definitely putting a lot of pressure on myself.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously crashing out first round in singles and doubles wasn\u2019t ideal, so I came in with a new mentality and this being the last week of the Australian Pro Tour I pretty much just went out and tried to do the things that I have been practicing, tried to be a bit more assertive and I have executed so it was pretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n
The World No.502 was also happy with how she is playing on the clay, given she hasn\u2019t had too much experience on the playing surface.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say clay is my best surface, I\u2019ve kind of avoided playing on it but the clay here in Canberra is really good, I reckon it\u2019s definitely one of the best in Australia and very similar to the ones in Europe so if I can get more comfortable on it it\u2019ll be good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bai will play Australian Zoe Hives [6] in the next round, who also happens to be her doubles partner. Hives beat Australian qualifier Ivana Popovic 7-5 6-1 to get set up the second round clash.<\/p>\n
Bai knows that she will be in for a tough match on Thursday, and will have to put her friendship with Hives aside.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be really interesting, we know each other really well, practice a lot together, especially over the summer because we were playing doubles together a lot, we both know each other\u2019s game really well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLast time I can remember playing her was probably about three or four years ago on clay in Melbourne and she won that match against me. I\u2019ve beaten her on the grass in Mildura so pretty much one all\u2026 So we\u2019ll see how we go, it will be fun, it will be really competitive and definitely looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, 15-year-old Canberran Annerly Poulos was unfortunately knocked out in her first round clash against Romanian Irina Fetecau, going down 6-4 6-1.<\/p>\n
Top seed Gabriella Taylor will begin her campaign tomorrow, along with Australians Ellen Perez [7] and Jaimee Fourlis [8].<\/p>\n
Entry to the Canberra Tennis Centre is free with play to commence at 10am<\/p>\n