Second round qualifying matches at the Moorilla Hobart International began today with Aussie Tammi Patterson losing out to Spain’s Gabrine Muguruza 6-3 6-1.
Points were short in this match with Muguruza’s powerful forehand and lethal serve making it difficult for Patterson to break into the game. With an early break in hand Muguruza looked comfortable, taking the first set 6-3.
In the second set a crushing backhand winner, followed the next point by a lethal forehand down the line saw Muguruza take a 4-1 lead. From there she never looked back, taking the match at 6-1 with her fourth ace of the match.
18- year-old Australian Viktorija Rajicic showed strong resistance before eventually succumbing 6-4 7-5 to Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan.
Backing up from a grueling three set match in hot conditions yesterday it was always going to be a tough ask for the young Australian, but she performed well.
Despite suffering an early break, Rajicic showed resilience in the face of two break points to hold serve at 3-4 and stay alive in the first set. Her opponent 17-year-old dual junior grand slam finalist Yulia Putintseva put on a classy display, expertly forcing Rajicic deep with her booming forehand before finishing points with perfectly placed drop shots to eventually take the first set 6-4.
In the second set the young Australian seemed to gain the upper hand in the second set racing out to a 4-1 lead but Putintseva managed to claw her way back taking the second set 7-5 and ensuring her place in the final round of qualifying.
Fresh from being granted wildcard entry into the Australian Open main draw, Australia’s Sacha Jones was on show again today at the Domain Tennis Centre, but could not overcome Russian opponent, qualifying third seed Nina Brachtikova, going down in three sets 6-3 5-7 1-6.
Jones came out firing making light work of her opponent to take the first set 6-3.
Both players traded love service games early in the second set before 3 double faults from the Australian handed Bratchikova a break at 4-3.
Serving for the set at 5-4 Bratchikova double faulted on set point and went on to waste 2 more set points as Jones broke back to level the scores at 5-5. In a pulsating match Jones failed to hold serve and Bratchikova made no mistake when given a second opportunity to serve for the set, taking the second 7-5.
In the final set Jones just could not hold on as the 28-year-old world No.80 ran away with it in the end to take victory.
Despite the disappointment of an early exit from the Moorilla Hobart International Jones was understandably elated at being granted a wildcard entry into the Australian Open main draw. “I’m so excited to be making my Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open 2013, “ she said, speaking when the announcement was made earlier today. “It’s my dream to play in the main draw of a Grand Slam and to have that opportunity is amazing.”
By Nick Cuthbertson