2019 AO Play-off: Rodionova, Perez and Fourlis make winning start
The 15th edition of the women's Australian Open Wild Card Play-off has kicked off at Melbourne Park on Tuesday, with 16 players ranked outside the top-100 battling for the title and the place in the main draw of the upcoming first Grand Slam of 2019. The top seed Arina Rodionova made a very nice start of her campaign, leading 6-1 1-0 against Olivia Tjandramulia before her rival was forced to retire. Rodionova will now face the 5th seed Astra Sharma who toppled Isabelle Wallace 3-6 6-1 6-4, regaining her composure after a slow start to reach the quarters.
The 4th seed Zoe Hives is also off to a great start following a 6-4 6-3 triumph against Naiktha Bains, setting the next round clash with Kaylah Mcphee who ousted the 6th seed Lizette Cabrera 6-2 6-4. The 8th seed Kimberly Birrell defeated the national junior champion and the lowest-ranked player in the draw Gabriella Da Silva Fick who couldn't stay on the winning path for the second straight week, playing well in the opener before losing 7-5 6-1. The 20-year-old Birrell had to skip almost the entire 2016 season due to an elbow surgery but she is back at her best, being able to play a full swing of tournaments in 2018 and entering this event with high expectations.
In the clash of 2015 and 2016 champions, Jaimee Fourlis prevailed against Maddison Inglis 6-4 7-6 and she will now play versus Kimberly Birrell for the place in the last four. The last year's champion and the 7th seed Destanee Aiava suffered a 6-4 6-4 loss against Abbie Myers who sets the quarter-final duel against the 2nd seed Ellen Perez who had to work hard in a 5-7 6-1 6-4 win over Alexandra Bozovic.
First round results:
[1]Arina Rodionova vs [WC]Olivia Tjandramulia 6-1 1-0 Ret. [5]Astra Sharma vs Isabelle Wallace 3-6 6-1 6-4 [4]Zoe Hives vs Naiktha Bains 6-4 6-3 Kaylah Mcphee vs [6]Lizette Cabrera 6-2 6-4 [8]Kimberly Birrell vs [WC]Gabriella Da Silva Fick 7-5 6-1 [3]Jaimee Fourlis vs [WC]Maddison Inglis 6-4 7-6(6) Abbie Myers vs [7]Destanee Aiava 6-4 6-4 [2]Ellen Perez vs [WC]Alexandra Bozovic 5-7 6-1 6-4
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2LaA3uR
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