The main draw of the Moorilla Hobart International was finalised today with Mandy Minella of Luxembourg, Spaniards Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino and Silvia Soler-Espinosa, and American Lauren Davis all qualifying for the main draw.
Mandy Minella was the first qualifier to proceed to the main draw, losing the first set 0-6 Minella bouncing back against Spaniard Garbine Muguruza to record a 0-6 6-2 6-4 victory. Speaking after the match Minella was modest about her chances of repeating 2012 champion Mona Barthel’s feat of winning the tournament as a qualifier.
“I’m not thinking about winning the tournament right now,” she said.
“I’m just looking forward to my next match and hopefully I will win that one.”
Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino prevailed over Kazakhstani opponent Yulia Putintseva in a grueling three set match, which lasted 3 hours and 3 minutes this morning. Arruarbarrena took the first set 6-4 before Putintseva bounced back to win the second 6-2. Neither player gave an inch in the third with the final set eventually falling in favour of Arruabarrena in a tiebreak.
Silvia Soler-Espinosa also qualified for the main draw after defeating Maria Teresa Torro-Flor 1-6 7-6(3) 6-1 in the third qualifying match for the day.
Lauren Davis of the United States filled the final spot in the main draw after she overcame 27 year old Russian Nina Bratchtikova in three sets 2-6 6-4 6-1. Bratchtikova took out the first set comfortably and looked to be in control of the match against an injured Davis. But with a heavily strapped left thigh and a visible limp, Davis battled on grinding out a tough second set to level at one set apiece. With constant encouragement from her coach on the sidelines Davis’ hard work in the second paid off as she cruised to a third set victory 6-1.
Bratchikova didn’t go home empty handed and was later awarded entry into the tournament as Lucky loser. Anastastia Pavlyuchenkova withdrew from the event this morning due to a right hip injury, freeing up a spot in the main draw for Bratchikova.
By Nick Cuthbertson