Jaimee Fourlis is the sole Australian remaining in the Hobart International singles draw – and she’s flying the flag proudly.
The 18-year-old wildcard overcome Serbian qualifier Nina Stojanovic 7-5 7-6(9) in an epic two hour-16 minute Centre Court battle today.
“I thought I played really well, played high percentage tennis when I needed to and really knuckled down when I needed to,” Fourlis said.
Stojanovic served for the first set at 5-4, but Fourlis broke to love as she reeled off three consecutive games to clinch the opening set.
Fourlis made it four games in a row, holding serve to open the second set in an epic nine-deuce game.
It set the pattern for a set that climaxed with a tense 20-point tiebreak, where Fourlis held her nerve to score her first main draw win in a WTA-sanctioned event.
“This is my first WTA win so it really means something to me,” Fourlis said.
“She’s a great player, I knew she was going to keep coming at me, keep playing big. That was something I discussed with my coach, just to keep believing in myself and keep trusting my game.”
Game, set, match – @jaimeef17 through to the second round after def. Stojanovic 7-5 7-6(9) #HobartTennis pic.twitter.com/ht1Ef7IW2z
— Hobart International (@HobartTennis) January 8, 2018
Fourlis plays Brit Heather Watson in the second round. Watson, who won the Hobart International title in 2015, upset No.3 seed Sorana Cirstea 7-5 6-3 in the first round.