Local four in main draw for grass title
GEELONG will have at least four women in the main draw of this year’s Victorian Grasscourts Championships, in what is looming as an open field minus last year’s winner Genevieve Lorberg.
Local star Adam Lasky headlines the men’s field after receiving a wildcard entry, but it is the women’s competition that looks to have the best chances of providing a homegrown winner.
Ramona Mataruga will start as fourth seed, with Amy Stevens, Olivia Symons and Olivia Ryan all locked in to the main draw.
Geelong teenager Taylah Mielczarek is the No.1 seed in the qualifying event, which will produce four players to complement the 12 players already booked into the main draw, meaning there is every chance five of the 16 players will be local products.
Tournament director Andy Reynolds said while Mataruga could be Geelong’s best hope, plenty of others would be in the mix.
“You’ve got Olivia Ryan, Amy Stevens and Olivia Symons, and Amy is flying, her ranking has improved greatly since last year, when she would be struggling through qualifiers to get into the main draw,” Reynolds said.
“All the girls in the main draw are now waiting for the qualifiers to get through and they’ll be tired after a couple of days of tennis, so they have a distinct advantage.
“Even Taylah Mielczarek, the No.1 seed in qualifiers, has played a lot of pro tour tournaments throughout the year as well so if she gets through there could be five locals in the draw out of the 16, which is astonishing.”
Veteran grass court champion Daniel Byrnes is booked to return to Geelong Lawn Tennis Club and will attempt to claim a fifth title in six years after a stunning straight-sets victory in the 2016 tournament.
Reynolds said the $5000 first prize for both men’s and women’s, combined with new tournament structure, would provide for a fascinating event.
“This year we have capped the draws in platinum tournaments across Australia at 64 for qualifiers and 16 in the main draw, which makes it very, very difficult firstly for qualifiers to get in and then also the main draw is a lot stronger,” he said.
“We have 10 of the top 100 men coming down, which is fantastic, and we couldn’t be happier.
“Jeremy Beale is ranked in the 30s and is a great component of the grass court game, so the men’s is really strong and Ramona Mataruga is not without a chance. With the depth though, we’re very happy with it.”
Qualifying begins at Geelong Lawn on Wednesday, December 27, with the main draw scheduled to get under way on December 29.