Far North Queensland tennis star returns to watch Gold Coast granddaughter at Cairns International
Australia’s number one ranked junior female tennis star has gone down in a gutsy effort at the Cairns Tennis International on Thursday morning. READ ABOUT THE DAY 5 ACTION HERE.
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Australia’s number one ranked junior female tennis star has gone down in a gutsy effort at the Cairns Tennis International on Thursday morning.
Gold Coast’s Emerson Jones fell short of a semi final appearance, bowing out 6-3, 6-3 to number three seed, Japan’s Kyoka Okamura.
Jones held a three games to one lead in the second set and looked in a commanding position before unforced errors got the better of her, causing her to lose the next five games.
The 16-year-old said there was a lot to take out of the match up.
“There were a few unforced errors and in the end they cost me the match,” Jones said.
“Not taking anything away from my opponent, she played a great game definitely and is a really strong player.
“She (Okamura) had answers for almost everything I threw her way.
“But those mistakes, especially in that second set after having the lead does hurt.”
Jones made a number of unforced errors, giving up leads during games when either serving or returning serve.
Even though it wasn’t her day on the court, Jones was all smiles off the court with having her grandmother and Cairns tennis legend Bernice Asplin watching on.
“It was great to play in front of her,” Jones said.
“With travelling all the time, overseas and to events, we don’t get to see her as much as we would like.
“So to have her here does mean a lot.
“Would have liked to have gotten the win for her but unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be.”
Asplin said her granddaughter is a great tennis player but she is an even better person and that is the main thing.
Despite being kicked out of the singles tournament, Jones is now preparing herself for the doubles tournament with her partner Elena Micic.
“Focus now is getting things right and just preparing for doubles,” Jones said.
“But I will be back next week for the second week of the Cairns tournament.
“It is such a great place, so definitely I will be back.”
On centre court to start the day was a match which had people glued to their seats as number eight seed Micic fought hard for a 7-6, 6-4 win against wildcard Tahlia Kokkinis.
Nothing could break the two players in the first set, with neither dropping a service game before Micic managed to hold on and break through in the tie breaker in the first set.
The second set ran just as similar to the opening set but Micic was able to break serve on one occasion giving her the edge to eventually hold out 6-4 in the second set to advance through to the semi finals.
While North Queenslander Lizette Cabrera has advanced to the semi finals after a straight sets win over fellow Australian wildcard Tenika McGiffin.
Cabrera looked in complete control from the get go and walked away 6-2, 6-3 to now take on number three seed Okamura on Friday.
Cairns born returns to centre court on Tennis International day 3
A Cairns born tennis gun has returned to the Far North, breezing through his final 16-match.
Tai Leonard Sach moved from Cairns to the Gold Coast at 12-years-old to grow and develop his tennis and chasing his dream of becoming a professional tennis star.
Now, the 22-year-old has returned to the Tropics to take part in the Cairns Tennis International.
In his first meeting with fellow Australian Roger Rogowski, Sach left nothing in the tank, finishing his 6-1, 6-4 match in just over an hour.
Sach said he knows he has to remain focused.
“You can’t lose track of what you are doing, paying attention what works and what doesn’t against every opponent,” Sach said.
“It is great to be back here and playing on what is my home court.
“It was a great match up, he (Rogowski) is a great player.
“He took it to me in the second set, things went my way in the first but he challenged me.
“That is what you love about this sport is challenges are at every corner, no matter what stage of the match.”
Ranked number 4 in the ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour rankings, Sach said it is great to see his home town on the world stage.
“To have people from all around the world come here to compete in Cairns, it is something else,” Sach said.
“It is such a beautiful place, definitely hotter than some places.
“But that is okay because I love the heat, more than others do and I am so used to this heat.”
The 22-year-old moved away from Cairns due to the lack of competition in the region but is excited to see the growth of the sport in the Far North.
“Moving to the Gold Coast was a great move for me, my coach and I have definitely been working hard for this,” Sach said.
“But it is great to see the junior talent coming through here in Cairns.
“I have been training five to six hours everyday to prepare for this tournament.
“And that is just the type of work you have to do to get better.
“I mean, you come into every tournament thinking you are going to win otherwise you won’t last very long.”
Sach will now take on the 11th seed from Japan Taketo Takamisawa who defeated Australian Tomislav Edward Papac 6-4, 6-4 on Tuesday.
Day three had plenty of action around the courts.
No. 2 seed Sam Ryan Ziegann was pushed to three sets by fellow Australian and No. 15 seed Jack Bruce-Smith.
Ziegann dropped the opening set on court 2 in the blazing heat but fought back in the second and managed to hold off in a tight finish in the third to head into the final eight. – 4-6, 6-3, 11-9.
No. 3 seed from Japan, Yuichiro Inui went down in his match up to Australian Zachary Adam-Gedge in three sets.
Gedge dropped the opening set but managed to hold off in the second and claim the third set to advance to the next round. – 6-3, 5-7, 8-10.
There was an upset in the second match of the day on centre court with No. 2 seed in the women’s Laquisa Khan bowing out in straight sets to No. 10 seed and fellow Australian Natalie Gaft.
Nothing looked like it was going right for Khan and Gaft had an answer for everything the No. 2 seed threw at her to run out 3-6, 6-7 winner.
After fighting off back spasms and a gutsy opponent in her first match, the No. 1 women’s seed Carolann Delaunay claimed her second match of the tournament defeating Ava-Monet Sycamore.
Sycamore started slowly again, similar to her final 32 match but wasn’t able to break through going down in straight sets. 6-4, 7-5.
While North Queensland product Lizette Cabrera made light work of her first match of the tournament.
Coming up against Japan’s Nanari Katsumi, Cabrera never looked troubled and didn’t let up to claim a 6-2, 6-3 win on centre court.
Back spasms, heat and controversy played out in day two of Cairns Tennis International
The Cairns Tennis International heated up on Monday with the number one seed fighting off back spasms and a gutsy opponent to advance to the third round.
Carolann Delaunay looked to be in trouble at the end of the second set requiring medical attention due to soreness in the lower back.
The girl from New Caledonia fought through the pain, the Cairns heat and a determined Australian Naomi McKenzie to win in three sets – 3-6, 6-4, 12-10.
Delaunay said couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the tournament.
“She (McKenzie) was a tough opponent, she was winning a lot of points and played very well,” Delaunay said.
“I was struggling early on, my legs weren’t working and she won the first set.
“Then I came back in the second and won that even though my back was hurting a lot.
“But it was a very good match up and a great challenge to start the tournament.
“I will rest up today and prepare for my next match whether that is tomorrow or the next day.”
The controversy came in the final point where McKenzie hit a shot deep in the court with Delaunay calling it out only for McKenzie to question the call.
An official was standing by and brought the two players together as from his angle the ball looked on the line.
Ultimately the point was replayed and Delaunay won the following point, winning the third set 12-10.
Earlier the men’s number one seed, Australian Thomas Braithwaite defeated fellow Australian Marin Dumitru 6-3, 6-2 to start off centre court.
Followed by the men’s sixth seed Tomislav Edward Papac defeating fellow Australian Matthew Duffy 6-0, 6-2.
Hometown tennis star breezes past opening round
A Cairns tennis star has returned to the region to take part in the Cairns Tennis International, showcasing her skills on the opening day of the tournament.
Sienna Jensen opened her tournament on court one on Sunday morning, taking on fellow Australian Sophie McDonald.
Jensen made light work of her opening round qualifier, winning the match in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.
The former Cairns product said it was great to get the first match out of the way.
“Coming into these tournaments you don’t know what to expect but it was great to get the win first up,” Jensen said.
“She (McDonald) is a really good player, sometimes things do go against you.
“I love playing here, it is such a beautiful place and I mean just have a look at the type of day we are having.
“It is such a great tournament, I am excited for the rest of this week and to back it up in the following Cairns tournament next week as well.”
There was plenty of action across the courts on Sunday as the first round of qualifiers took place.
Jensen will now head to round two on Monday.
“Haven’t seen the fixtures yet but looking forward to the match up,” Jensen said.
“That is the thing about this sport, no matter who you come up against, you have to be on your game.”
Having not played in the region since she left in 2019, Jensen is looking forward to eventually getting some time to relax in her home town.
“I did forget about how humid it could be when playing here in Cairns, had to take a few more breaks this time,” Jensen said.
“But it is such a beautiful place, it’s home and I do love coming back.
“It is so different to Brisbane, with the weather and the scenery as well.”
Jensen will take on 13th seed, Ava-Monet Sycamore in her round 2 match up on Monday.
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