Toowoomba QLD, Australia, 11 October 2018 | Asher Packman

After upsetting the second seed early on Thursday, Abbey Myers backed it up with another win, landing her in the quarterfinals of the Hutchison Builders Toowoomba International.

The 24-year-old from Sydney was locked in a fierce battle with Brit Gabriella Taylor when play was called off due to poor weather on Wednesday evening. With the scores at one set apiece overnight, she came out strong and closed it 6-2 5-7 6-3.

“It’s a brilliant win for me,” she said. “I played her earlier in the year and went down, so I was pumped to get out there and win this time. It was difficult with all the rain delays yesterday and then having to come back today and play the third set. I’m just really happy I got through it.”

Following a rest, Myers then faced Canberra’s Alison Bai and recorded a straight-sets 6-2 7-6(5) victory to move into the last eight.

“Having such a good win earlier, it was important for me to not let it get to my head and to get out there and play my game,” she said. “When we were younger Alison would always beat me but in the last couple of years, I’ve been getting one up on her which is good.”

Myers has enjoyed a revival in 2018, coming off an eight-month hiatus from the game last year, she resumed in March and has since risen nearly 500 world ranking places to currently sit at a career-high of No.296.

“I’ve been going from strength to strength,” she said. “I’m really proud of myself for what I’ve managed to do. That break really helped me mentally and helped me mature as a player and a person.”

Myers faces Taipei’s Ya-Hsuan Lee for a semifinal berth after she defeated Queenslander Olivia Tjandramulia. While Myers is unaware of exactly what her opponent brings to the table, she said, “I’ll be on YouTube tonight and trying to gather a game plan.”

Victorian Zoe Hives continued her successful Toowoomba campaign on Thursday, making her way into the quarterfinals where she will face No.6 seed Astra Sharma, who recorded a three-set win over last week’s Brisbane champion, Shilin Xu of China.

Looking for her third straight final, Ellen Perez cruised into contention yet again with a 6-2 7-5 victory over Alexandra Bozovic. She looks ahead to the winner of top seed Olivia Rogowska and Japanese qualifier Chihiro Muramatsu.

The remaining quarterfinal pits third seed Destanee Aiava against Abigail Tere-Apisah of Papua New Guinea.

Live scores of all Australian Pro Tour events are available through www.tennis.com.au/protour/scores and for a live stream of selected events visit www.tennis.com.au/protour. For Australian Pro Tour updates follow @oztennisresults on Twitter.

Image: David Lobwein