Australian wildcard Jarmila Gajdosova will advance to the quarterfinals after defeating world No. 57 Olga Govortsova at the Moorilla Hobart International.
Despite a display of big forehands from the former tournament champion, Govortsova held serve in the opening game of the first. The set continued on serve with the Aussie growing in confidence to break the 24 year old 3-1. Gajdosova advanced aggressively, exhibiting sharp cross-court forehands and quick movement.
The Aussie, who had an extended break from the game in the second half of 2012, appeared to be in solid form as she attacked off her forehand and made several net advances to take the lead in the first set.
At 4-3 Gajdosova out powered the Belarusian and with a fist-pump she held the break to take the set to a 5-3 lead. The pressure was on Govortsova to stay in the match but the determined Aussie was in shining form, going after the lines and firing ahead to break the Belarusian and take the first set 6-3.
The former world 25 came out storming in the second with an easy first service game. Govortsova levelled the score 1-1 but was unable to break the Aussie’s momentum as she sprinted to a 5-1 lead. Gajdosova was unstoppable in her final service game, charging forward to take the match 6-1.
The 25 year old Aussie will now meet Russia’s Elena Vesnina in the quarterfinal.
By Rosie Jones.