Destanee Aiava’s path again to the Australian Open after a sequence of psychological well being battles has taken a optimistic step ahead with victory within the opening spherical of qualifying.
Given a wildcard into qualifying, Aiava, the world No.325, stated she was conserving her expectations measured as she seemed to earn a main-draw spot this week.
The 22-year-old, who opened up on her psychological well being struggles throughout 2022, which included an try to finish her life, carved out a 6-3 6-3 victory in opposition to Turkey’s Ipek Oz in first-round motion at Melbourne Park on Monday.
“I’m so happy. It’s my first grand slam match for a while and I’m just happy to get the win,” Aiava instructed Tennis Australia 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.”
Aiava, who has been ranked as excessive as world No.147, is beginning to string collectively some stable kind after her off-court points.
She has received eight of her previous 9 matches, together with an Australian Pro Tour title at Traralgon in November, her first in additional than three years.
Now ranked 325, she was grateful to be given the prospect to attempt to earn a spot in the principle draw of the 12 months’s first grand slam.
“I’m just looking to have fun this week,” she stated.
“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.
“I’m definitely coming into this (week) with a bit of confidence from my last tournaments.
“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, within the second spherical.
