With the summer of Tennis underway, the Latrobe Valley has once again welcomed International Tennis back to the region with the Traralgon International Main Draw beginning on Monday.
The tournament compliments a further 16 additional tournaments as various players prepare for the Australian Open which is due to begin on January 17th.
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley was pleased to have tennis back, saying “it’s fantastic to bring tennis back to regional Victoria, where I know the local communities of Bendigo and Traralgon will welcome these global events with open arms.”
Tiley also said, “It’s incredibly important to have the world’s best players competing across the country, inspiring the next generation of players and growing interest and excitement in our sport.”
A cast of Aussies were in action on day two of the ATP Challenger tournament in Traralgon with Calum Puttergill, Blake Ellis, Tristan Schoolkate, Harry Boucher. Brandon Walkin, Philip Sekulic, Dane Sweeny, Jeremy Jin and local Traralgon youngster Joshua Charlton all competing.
Early on day two, Blake Ellis defeated fellow Aussie Calum Puttergill 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, while a gallant effort from Tristan Schoolkate wasn’t enough as he was defeated in straight sets by Frenchman Manuel Guinard 6-7(2), 6-7(3).
Harry Bourchier and Brandon Walkin battled it out on show-court one with Walkin overcoming a first set loss 3-6 and then going on to win the last two sets 6-4, 6-4.
Traralgon local Josh Charlton was defeated in front of a large crowd 2-6, 2-6 by Pedro Cachin of Argentina.
18-year-old Philip Sekulic battled with World No. 242 Nicola Kuhn, and got off to a stunning start, claiming the first set. Unfortunately for the Aussie, he couldn’t quite edge clear of Kuhn, eventually going down in an extremely tight affair 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-7(4).
Meanwhile, day two concluded with 18-year-old Jeremy Jin and rising star Dane Sweeny taking to the court. Jin, who faced Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki lost in straight sets 6-3 6-7(1).
Sweeny, who faced Frederico Ferreira Silva overcame the world No. 240 with a fantastic performance to win in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 to proceed to round 32.
Over in the ITF women’s draw, Aussies Piper Freeman, Darcy Parke Lily Taylor, Lily Fairclough and Lisa Mays were all in action.
Piper Freeman lost in straight sets to opponent Richel Hogenkamp 3-6, 0-6 while Darcy Parke also lost in straight sets to Marina Melnikova 1-6, 0-6 early on day two.
Lily Taylor and Lily Fairclough both bowed out in straight sets to exit the second round of qualifying, while Lisa Mays was no match for Usue Maitane Arconada from the United States 0-6, 0-6.
China’s Xiyu Wang (WTA ranking 130) leads the Main Draw for the women along with World No. 153 Daria Snigur from Ukraine and World No.159 Christina McHale from the United States. All three will be in action on day three.
There will be more Australian women in action on day three as the main draw begins, with Roisin Gilheany, Annerly Poulos and Isabella Bozicevic all competing in Traralgon.
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