Melbourne VIC, Australia, 21 December 2014 | Australian Tennis Magazine

Each day we’ll be featuring a player who is one to watch throughout the December Showdown and into the Australian summer. Today it’s Daria Gavrilova, who will contest the Australian Open Play-off final. 

Australia’s newest talent, Moscow-born Gavrilova was a former world No.1 junior and worked with Martina Hingis at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy. Now coached by Nicole Pratt, she’s a fierce competitor possessing well-honed court smarts.

Returning from a knee reconstruction, Gavrilova slashed her ranking by more than 100 spots in the second half of 2014.

Nicknamed Dasha, her partner is fellow Aussie Luke Saville.

Gavrilova will take on Arina Rodionova in the final of the Australian Open Play-off on Sunday, the winner rewarded with an Australian Open main draw wildcard.

> view Daria Gavrilova’s player profile

Read more about Gavrilova and other emerging Aussie talents in the December “Summer Special” of Australian Tennis Magazine.