TOP seed Adam Lasky is through to the men's open singles quarter finals in the Victorian Country Inter-regional Tennis Championships at Creswick.
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He comfortably accounted for the South West's Jake Dunn 6-3 6-3 in his opening match of the tournament at the Mt Prospect complex today.
While Lasky had a first round bye, Dunn had a busy start to the opening day of the three-day event.
He defeated Jamie Brown (Loddon Campaspe) 6-3 6-1 in round one to set up a clash with the Geelong 18-year-old.
Seeded 117 in Australia, Lasky will line up in a quarter final tomorrow.
Lasky said he enjoyed having the opportunity to represent his home region - something he had been doing for "five or six" years.
"There's something about playing in a team environment."
He said the inter-regional format also provided an opportunity to help out juniors, just as he had experienced rising through the ranks.
Lasky is a key player in Barwon's plans to continue its domination of the championships.
Barwon is attempting to win its 11th title in 12 years, having won five times in a row before Glenelg ended its run in 2008 and then triumphing in the past five years.
Tournament director Andrew Reynolds, of Tennis Victoria, said the event had had a perfect start, with the courts in great condition and weather ideal.
He said after having to cope the effects of a heatwave in Swan Hill last year, the milder start to the day had allowed players to ease into competition.
With 260 players taking part, Reynolds estimated an influx of up to 1000 people would inject at in the vicinity of $1.5 million into the Ballarat and Creswick district economy.
A special feature of today was a visit by the Australian Open tour, with the men's and women's singles trophies on display.
Tennis Australia hall of fame member Judy Dalton and Ballarat tennis legend Peter Keller will be guest speakers a special dinner at the Mt Prospect Tennis Association tonight.