Adamczak stops surging Swede
Monique Adamczak has upended in-form Swede Ellen Allgurin to become the sole Australian into the semifinals of the Perth Tennis International.
Perth WA, Australia, 25 October 2014 | David Packman
New South Wales girl Monique Adamczak has become the sole Australian to reach the semifinal of the 2014 Perth Tennis International, cruising to a straight sets victory over Swede Ellen Allgurin 6-3 6-3.
Allgurin has been the surprise packet of the Australian Pro Tour thus far, coming through qualification to reach the final in Cairns before winning last week’s event in Toowomba.
She was previously unbeaten in seven matches against Australians, including twice beating Jessica Moore – in the Toowomba final and again this week in Perth.
However, the run came to an abrupt end on Thursday at the hands of Adamczak, who looked the dominant player throughout, coming out strong in both sets, and taking early commanding leads which she never relinquished.
“I stuck to my game plan,” said Adamczak after the match. “It worked really well.
“Today was less windy than it has been. I think that helped me play the match on my terms.”
The “highly organised” Adamczak also took mental notes watching Allgurin take on Jessica Moore on Wednesday.
“Although Jess lost, I thought she played [Allgurin] the right way and I tried to emulate a bit of that today.”
With twelve aces to none, it was Adamczak’s serve that did much of the damage.
“I served really well today,” she said. “It felt great.”
“Feeling great” has been a consistent message for the resurgent Adamczak of late. On the cusp of breaking the top 100 in 2010, she tore an ACL in her knee and has been on the comeback trail ever since.
At 31 years old, and with fifteen years on tour behind her, she feels she is “probably” in the best shape of her life.
Adamczak shrugs off her age with a laugh.
“Look at Federer,” she said. “He’s 31. And Serena is still No.1.
“The game is evolving and becoming more physical. You don’t reach your physical peak until later, so if I can continue to manage that side of it, the future is exciting for me.
“Right now, I’m just really enjoying playing these Pro Tour events. I need to do well and try to get my ranking down for the Australian Open.”
Adamczak takes on another Swede, second seed Rebecca Peterson, in the semifinals. Although the pair have never met, you can be certain Adamczak will be doing her homework.
The other semifinal in Perth pits top seed, Japan’s Hiroko Kuwata, against fourth seed Chieh-Yu Hsu.