Check out all the action from Ballarat Gold AMT's qualifying rounds in a gallery by photographer Kate Healy
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
UNFORGIVING UV rays blanketed a tough day for Ballarat tennis talent during the opening qualifiers of the Open Gold AMT.
Despite some small victories, all four Ballarat competitors who played yesterday were unsuccessful in making it to the main draw.
Eighteen-year-old Ben Robinson will contest the consolation round today after a promising start to the tournament was brick-walled.
He entered the competition with a positive start, sealing his first match against Alexander Altendeitering in a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
However, Robinson couldn’t close the deal on Australian number 184 Socrates Leon Tsoronis, losing 7-6, 6-2 .
“It was a bit of a shame and it was a tough game, but it was a good opportunity,” Robinson said.
“I just have to work myself into a bit of form after not playing for a while. I hadn’t been playing all that much with studying for year 12.”
He said the consolation round would enable him to continue testing his skill against quality players.
“It will be good to get some good quality hits against some good players; it will be good match practice,” he said.
“Every time I’ve hit in the last little while I’ve been gradually improving, but I still have a fair way to go to get where I want to be.”
“I just want to be a competitive player and keep enjoying my tennis at a good level.”
Hannah Heath, 15, made a jump on Ruth Markov, claiming the first set 3-6 before Markov took her stance and won the second set 6-2.
The match entered a super tie-breaker which Heath couldn’t quite close,
losing 12-10.
Nicholas Powell and Tynan Haintz both lost in straight sets to their opponents.
Highlights today include reiging Wimbledon women’s doubles champion Su Wei Hsieh at 11am, French duo Vincent Stouff and Yvonnick L’Hurriec who will take to the courts at 10am for the singles competition, and Ballarat hope Zoe Hives who will start at 11.30am.
david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au
More on tournament, page 46