SA youngster Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz follows Ash Barty in earning Australian Open Wildcard Playoff berth aged 15
A rising SA tennis star has followed in the footsteps of world No.1 Ash Barty, earning an Australian Open Wildcard Playoff berth aged 15. Now Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz is eyeing her maiden Grand Slam berth.
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A South Australian young gun has followed in the footsteps of world No.1 Ash Barty, earning an Australian Open Wildcard Playoff berth aged 15.
Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz downed fellow Croweater Natasha Russell in the Australian under-18 girls’ final to claim the national title at Melbourne Park on Saturday.
The triumph came eight years after Queenslander Barty achieved the feat at the same age, before going on to win a place in her first Australian Open main draw.
“It feels like a dream,” Kempenaers-Pocz, of Glengowrie, said.
“I’m really happy that I got the win.
“Big names have won it (previously), so it makes me feel even better.
“I’m really excited, because now I get to play against the professionals.
“But I’m putting no pressure on myself and no expectations.
“I’m just going to try for every point.”
Kempenaers-Pocz entered the under-18 tournament as a wildcard, as she prepared to face opponents up to three years her senior.
But she advanced through three pool matches, as well as her quarter-final and semi-final, without dropping a set.
The Year 9 Brighton High student lost the first set of the decider 4-6 to Russell, before breaking her more experienced rival twice to claim the second 6-2.
Russell retired due to an ongoing back injury at the start of the third set to hand Kempenaers-Pocz the title.
It also landed the hard-hitting right-hander a place in Tuesday’s opening round of the playoffs and a shot at her first Grand Slam.
“I was a bit nervous before the match,” SA’s third-ranked woman said.
“But after I got over that, I could hit more free.
“She had an injury time-out after the first set, so I knew if I ran her around a bit I would be able to win points easier.
“My serve wasn’t as great as other days, but it was still pretty good.
“But I felt really sorry for Tash (Russell).
“She had an unbelievable week and it was sad for her to finish it off with an injury.”
Kempenaers-Pocz will find out her playoff opponent in Sunday’s draw.
She will encounter a 16-strong field, including top rank Maddison Inglis, of WA, as well as Victorians Destanee Aiava, Arina Rodionova and Jaimee Fourlis.
SA players Alex Bolt and Luke Saville will also feature in the men’s wildcard tournament.
World No.18 Alex de Minaur won the playoff last year on his way to reaching the third round of the main draw.
Meanwhile, Alexander Despoja, of Hawthorndene, will take on WA’s Zachary Viiala in the national under-14 boys’ final at Melbourne Park on Sunday.