Seven Australians contested the first round of qualifying on day one of action at the Moorilla Hobart International.
23-year-old Tammi Patterson was the first Australian to record a victory at the tournament overcoming a vastly more experienced opponent in 38-year-old Slovakian Janette Husarova. The 6-2 6-2 win was Patterson’s first match after a long lay-off with injury and also marked her first win at WTA level. “It’s very exciting and hopefully starting off here will help me for the rest of the year,” she said.
18-year-old Australian Viktorija Rajicic also made it through to the second round of qualifying defeating Canadian opponent and world No.140 Stephanie Dubois in three sets, 6-2 6-4 6-1. Dubois took the first set 6-2 and looked to be comfortably in control of the match before a revival from the young Victorian in the second set saw her level the match at one set all.
In the final set Rajicic showed composure well beyond her years to take out the deciding set 6-1. Speaking after the match Rajicic said “It’s always good to get a first win in such a huge tournament, my adrenaline kicked in and I just went out and played my best.
Sacha Jones was the third Australian to proceed to the second stage of qualifying with a commanding 6-2 6-4 win over compatriot wildcard entrant Stephanie Bengson. Jones, who missed the last part of 2012 with a wrist injury, played with confidence and looks a likely contender to make it into the tournament’s main draw, which starts on Sunday.
Sally Peers put up a spirited showing in her qualifying match against highly favoured world No. 79, Lara Arruarbarrena-Vecino of Spain, before eventually succumbing to a 3-6 2-6 defeat. Despite the loss the 21-year-old Victorian was upbeat. “I thought I played pretty well, she’s a very, very high quality opponent and I think I made her beat me so I’m pretty happy”, Peers said post match
In other matches played today 22-year-old Western Australian Jessica Moore went down to Chinese opponent Ying-Ying Duan in straight sets, losing 3-6 7-5 and South Africa’s Chanel Simmonds was too good for Karolina Wlodarczak winning 7-5 6-4.
By Nick Cuthbertson