Former world No. 132 to line up for Flagstaff Freighters in tonight's Asia-Pacific Tennis League SA final

FORMER world No.132 Jess Moore has gone from working part-time jobs in Perth to the brink of firing Flagstaff Freighters to more international tennis glory.

Moore ready to fire Flaggies to Aus Open

IF NOT for the Asia-Pacific Tennis League, Flagstaff Freighters recruit Jess Moore may still be in Perth working part-time jobs.

Moore, a former world No. 132, had taken a year off from the sport in 2011 to study health sciences and was waitressing, coaching or working as a personal trainer to earn a living.

Then she learnt of the ATL and was attracted by the new tournament's faster pace.

It brought her back to the court with WA team Giants and face-to-face with Flagstaff in a national semi-final.

"The ATL got me back playing," Moore says.

"I was working night shifts as a waitress, which was a bit of a wake-up call for me because I was on the road since 12 or 13 and wasn't exposed to shift work.

"I definitely knew I wanted a break from playing and travelling but I wasn't sure when or if I was going to ­return.

"I thought the ATL was a positive way of getting myself back involved in tennis.

"It was bit of fun and great to be in a team environment."

Twelve months on, Moore, 23, is a key part of Flagstaff's tilt at a second straight women's title.

She joined the Freighters a month ago after moving to Adelaide to link up with the Memorial Drive-based ­tennis academy and her ­former coaches Milo Bradley and Rohan Fisher.

"(Flagstaff coach) Jim Chaousis approached me pretty much straight after January," says Moore who won a Commonwealth Games doubles silver medal in 2006.

"It worked out really well that he got in touch and they've been really ­welcoming."

The Freighters are on the brink of a return to the Australian Open, where they won the national final in January, having qualified for tonight's SA conference decider at Memorial Drive.

Flagstaff will play Gully Timberwolves for a spot in the playoffs at Melbourne Park after a 4-0 record in their minor round games.

In the men's section, Trinity Titans take on The Drive. Play starts at 6.15pm.