Australia’s top seeded World Junior Tennis Competition team has qualified for the 2010 World Junior Tennis Finals to be held in Prostejov, Czech Republic this August.
Competing in the Asian–Oceania qualifying event in Anqing, China, the team is yet to drop a match and yesterday defeated No.8 seed New Zealand 3-0 in the quarterfinals.
[1] Australia d [8] New Zealand 3-0
Li Tu (Adelaide, SA) d Phett Purcell (NZL) 6-2 6-4
Blake Mott (Thirroul, NSW) d Alexandar Klintacharov (NZL) 6-1 6-4
Blake Mott/Li Tu d Alexandar Klintacharov/Niko Vulinovich (NZL) 6-1 6-3
National Academy Coach and team captain Brod Dyke said “Li started well, up 5-0, and then had a slight lapse but managed to close the first set out in fairly blustery conditions. Again he got off to a good start in the second set up 2-0 but dropped the next three games before he managed to find his range when it counted.”
“Blake also started well winning the first easily 6-1 before slightly losing his way early in the second. However, at four all proved he was the better player on the court playing two solid games to send Australia to the World Junior Tennis Finals,” Dyke continued.
“The team has really been putting in and it’s great that we have qualified, which was our first goal,” Li Tu said.
Blake Mott said, “Today it felt like a Trans-Tasman test match so it was a fabulous feeling to achieve victory over our neighbouring Kiwis.”
“It’s great that we have qualified. The next step is working towards a high seed in the finals by trying to win the tournament here,” Thanasi Kokkinakis, who was rested for the clash against New Zealand, said.
Australia will now play No.3 seed Korea and will be aiming to continue their unbeaten run.
