Australian Lizette Cabrera has a tough challenge in her Hobart debut – she’s set to face fifth seed Misaki Doi.
Doi, the world No.40, will be the highest-ranked player the 19-year-old from Queensland has ever faced in her career.
“I’m obviously really excited,” Cabrera said ahead of the match. “It’s my first WTA main draw match, so it feels really good that the hard work has paid off. I’m a little nervous but I played BI (Brisbane International) qualies just last week, so it was good to get a few matches under my belt before coming here.”
Cabrera is fresh from a breakthrough 2016 season, where she slashed her ranking from No.1062 at the end of 2015 to her current position of No.216. She was rewarded with both Hobart International and Australian Open main draw wildcards for her effort.
“I had a really tough year in 2015 but I traveled a lot by myself in 2016 on the tour and learnt a lot. It’s made me tougher and I’m really excited to be playing the big tournaments this summer,” Cabrera said.
Before Cabrera makes her Hobart International debut, she finished these sentences…
My goal for 2017 is… to win a main draw match at the Australian Open.
The best lesson I learnt in 2016 was… how to be independent while travelling by myself.
I love being a tennis player because… I love to travel and eat food from different countries.
The hardest part of being a tennis player is… the training and all the running you have to do.
The best advice I’ve ever got is… to work hard and stay humble.
My favourite pre-match meal is… I love everything, but anything with avocado.
The best concert I’ve ever been to… Taylor Swift a couple of years ago.
My favourite player growing up was… Justine Henin.
My dream mixed doubles partner is… Roger Federer.
The most random item in my tennis bag is… a pack of cards. When I get bored I’ll ask another player to play.
My worst habit is… going to the fridge and just standing there and not actually getting anything.
My go-to karaoke song is… anything by Beyonce.
If I could steal one shot from another player, it would be… Federer’s backhand.
My favourite social media channel is… Instagram.
I think Hobart is… really pretty.
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