“It’s awesome playing at home,” declared 17-year-old Ashleigh Barty after saving five match points against the more experienced and higher ranked Kiki Bertens to qualify for the 2014 Brisbane International main draw. “I’m sure this [tournament] will be in my schedule for a long time to come.”
That’s great news for the local supporters who’ve happily watched the Ipswich teenager take such big and impressive steps in her young career (Barty deservedly received a standing ovation after progressing on Monday). Even better news is the fact that Barty is not the only talented Aussie player for those passionate observers to cheer on at Pat Rafter Arena today.
A string of local competitors commences with Marinko Matosevic’s round one match against Julien Benneteau, in which the Aussie will be determined to claim his first main draw win at Brisbane, having faced some tough opponents in Andy Roddick, Tommy Haas and Kei Nishikori in his three previous outings. The signs are promising this time around, with Matosevic having defeated his French opponent in their only other meeting in Beijing just three months ago.
Casey Dellacqua will also take some confidence into her first round match on Pat Rafter Arena against Galina Voskoboeva. Their head-to-head match-winning record is even at 1-1, but Dellacqua won their most recent meeting in Hobart in 2012. Having worked harder than ever on her fitness during the off season, Dellacqua is also riding the momentum of winning an Australian Open wildcard through the pre-Christmas Play-off at Melbourne Park.
The local fans will no doubt be in full voice by the time Dellacqua’s doubles partner, Barty, meets Daniela Hantuchova in the final day match on centre court. They’ve never previously met, but it will be an intriguing match up as one of the WTA’s most anticipated young players meets an enduring one in 30-year-old Hantuchova, who was runner-up at Brisbane in 2012.
Other matches at the Queensland Tennis Centre will be equally intriguing. Watch for Jelena Jankovic v Francesca Schiavone in a re-match of their 2013 Brisbane quarterfinal, which Schiavone won in three tight sets. Having returned to the top 10 in 2013, Jankovic will fancy her chances of a victory this time around.
Kaia Kanepi, the 2012 Brisbane champion, makes her season debut against qualifier Alexandra Panova; Angelique Kerber v Kristina Mladenovic and Heather Watson v Dominika Cibulkova will be similarly spirited contests on Show Courts 1 and 2.
Come night-time, all eyes will be on Pat Rafter again, as third seed and global superstar Maria Sharapova meets young Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia. Sharapova’s return after a long injury lay off is highly anticipated by fans, but the 20-year-old Garcia will be determined to start her season with a win.
The excitement continues when Grigor Dimitrov, the fifth seed, takes on Robin Haase in the first round of the men’s event. Having commenced his best season yet with a runner-up run in Brisbane in 2013, it’s no surprise that one of the most-watched young players on the ATP chose Brisbane as the starting point for 2014.
Barty might love coming back as a local, but international superstars are equally happy to keep returning to the Queensland capital.
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