Australian Open wildcard playoff: Destanee Aiava beats Masa Jovanic to claim quarters berth

DESTANEE Aiava has battled through an Australian Open wildcard playoff stumble, staving off fellow Victorian Masa Jovanic to reach the quarter-finals.

Aivia did enough to get through this time. Photo: Michael Klein

DESTANEE Aiava has survived an Australian Open wildcard playoff scare, staving off fellow Victorian Masa Jovanic to reach the quarter-finals.

Denied a wildcard into next month’s grand slam when beaten in the 18-and-under final by Jaimee Fourlis, Aiava dropped the first set to Jovanic.

But, sensing the danger, the 18-year-old recovered to power to a 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory.

She joins top seed Arina Rodionova in the last eight after the Russian-born baseliner posted a 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 win over talented Sara Tomic, moving to significantly closer to snaring a main draw berth in the January 15-28 Open.

Still finding touch after a gruelling training block, world No.120 Rodionova was relieved to survive Tomic.

Aivia did enough to get through this time. Photo: Michael Klein

“I got the job done. It wasn’t my best performance obviously but it was enough today and I’m happy to get through,” she said.

“It’s tough, middle of December. We’re normally not peaking yet and that’s my situation, same with most other players.

“We’re all in similar condition but just keep fighting every point. It’s not the best tennis but you have to be able to win without playing your best.”

Rodionova admitted erring by chasing ranking points while trying to crack the top 100 and playing too many tournaments towards the end of this season.

“Yes that’s exactly what I did instead of taking a couple of weeks off and having a good training block I kept playing,” she said.

“I went China, Japan, China and then back to Australia for a week and it was a little bit crazy and unnecessary and didn’t do me any good.

“I will learn from that and not do the same again.”

Sara Tomic missed out against Arina Rodionova. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Ranked 466th in the world, Tomic was cautioned for taking too much time between points late in the second set.

The censure failed to stop the 19-year-old charging back into contention after trailing 2-5.

But, after breaking serve for 4-5, she lost her own delivery — and the match.

In other matches, Alexandra Bozovic defeated Rodionova’s sister Anastasia, Zoe Hives beat Astra Sharma and Naiktha Bains downed Belinda Woodcock.

Also advancing were Tammi Patterson, over Michaela Haet, Olivia Tjandramulia against Alison Bai and Kimberly Birrell over Maddison Inglis.

Men’s quarters start on Wednesday at Melbourne Park from 10am.

Originally published as Australian Open wildcard playoff: Destanee Aiava beats Masa Jovanic to claim quarters berth