Aussie wildcard Destanee Aiava has scored a first-round win in the Australian Open 2023 women’s qualifying singles competition.
Melbourne, Australia, 9 January 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Destanee Aiava has made a winning start to her Australian Open 2023 qualifying campaign.
The Aussie wildcard struck 20 winners to three in a 6-3 6-3 victory against Turkey’s Ipek Oz in first-round action at Melbourne Park today.
“I’m so happy. It’s my first Grand Slam match for a while and I’m just happy to get the win,” Aiava said after defeating the world No.180.
“I didn’t put too much expectation on myself. I just wanted to go out and implement what I’ve been doing in training.”
This is Aiava’s first Grand Slam-level victory since Australian Open 2020, when she reached the final qualifying round.
While the world No.325 hopes to earn a main-draw spot this week, she is keeping her expectations measured.
“I’m just looking to have fun this week,” she said. “This is my favourite tournament of the year and I’m just super grateful to Tennis Australia for giving me a chance to compete in the qualifying.”
Aiava has been ranked as high as world No.147, but struggled with her mental health last season and did not compete overseas.
Since bravely sharing her struggles, Aiava has been quietly building some impressive momentum.
She has now won eight of her past nine matches, having scooped an Australian Pro Tour title at Traralgon in November. It was the 22-year-old’s fifth career ITF singles title – and first in more than three years.
“I’m definitely coming into this (week) with a bit of confidence from my last tournaments,” she said. “I’ve been training heaps and playing some AMT doubles with a friend as well, just to keep my match fitness going. So yeah, I’m feeling good.”
Aiava will face world No.237 Arianne Hartono, a 26-year-old from the Netherlands, in the second round.
Australian hopes Zoe Hives, Lizette Cabrera, Arina Rodionova, Seone Mendez and Kaylah McPhee are all scheduled to play their first-round qualifying matches later today.
Tickets to attend Australian Open 2023 qualifying are just $5 for kids and $10 for adults. Fans will also be able to see some of the world’s top-ranked players compete in practice matches at Melbourne Park.
> BUY NOW: Australian Open 2023 tickets
AUSSIES IN ACTION – Australian Open
TODAY’S RESULTS
Women’s qualifying singles, first round
[WC] Destanee Aiava…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Tennis.com.au – Tennis Australia…