Destanee Aiava and Tammi Patterson to face off for Australian Open wildcard

DESTANEE Aiava and Tammi Patterson will fight out the Australian Open wildcard playoff after top seed Arina Rodionova’s December struggles led to semi-final defeat.

Destanee Aiava serves Kimberly Birrell in the Australian Open wildcard semi-final. Picture: Michael Klein

DOUBLES partners Destanee Aiava and Tammi Patterson will temporarily shelve their friendship to dispute Sunday’s Australian Open singles wildcard playoff final at Melbourne Park.

Elated after saving a match point as top seed Arina Rodionova served for the match at 5-3 in the third set, Patterson will go into the decider as underdog.

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But after coming from the brink to claim the last four games against Rodionova to advance with a 4-6 6-3 7-5 escape, Patterson has vowed to be aggressive.

“I’m not someone who is going to walk of the court knowing I didn’t go for it,” Patterson said before Aiava downed Kimberly Birrell 6-4 6-1.

Tammi Patterson in action against Arina Rodionova. Picture: Michael Klein

Destanee Aiava in action against Kimberly Birrell. Picture: Michael Klein

“My game style is pretty much if I think I can hit it, I’ll go for it, it doesn’t matter what score it is.

“I have to trust myself, and that paid off today.”

Coached by Cara Black, Rodionova has repeatedly admitted this week to struggling for timing and form while still in training mode.

Bearing down on a top-100 ranking, the Victorian will now have to qualify for the January 15-28 grand slam or rely on a discretionary wildcard.

Denied an Open wildcard with defeat in last week’s 18-and-under final against Jaimee Fourlis, Aiava also insists she won’t stray too far from her game plan.

“My serve is one of my favourite shots,” she said. “I feel like I can get out of trouble a lot with it.

Top seed Arina Rodionova fell in the sem-final to Tammi Patterson. Picture: Michael Klein

“It saves me under pressure.”

“I felt pretty good on the court today.

“I felt like this was my best match I’ve played the past couple of weeks, I didn’t give anything away physically or mentally.

“I just felt really good.”

Best mates and top seeds Alex Bolt and Alex De Minaur will fight out the men’s final.

The women’s singles final starts at 11am (EDT), with the men’s decider not before 12.30pm.

Originally published as Destanee Aiava and Tammi Patterson to face off for Australian Open wildcard