OKAMURA FINDS HER FEET
AFTER battling an ankle injury over the last year, Japanese right-hander Kyoka Okamura cherishes every point she gets to play now.
The 22-year-old qualified for the main draw of the 2018 Cairns International yesterday afternoon, with a 6-4, 6-1 win over American Sabastiani Leon, in the final round of women’s qualifying before the real stuff kicks off this morning.
This week’s event is Okamura’s first experience of playing in the Far North and she is loving being back on the court after a bad ankle slowed her last 12 months of tennis.
Okamura, ranked 430 in the world, missed around three months with an ankle injury and it was supported by a big brace yesterday at Cairns International Tennis Centre.
“I could not play for three months and now I am very happy to play,” Okamura said.
“I am just trying to enjoy every point.
“I do not care who I play in the main draw, for me it is about enjoying every point.”
Seone Mendez, Germany’s Vivian Heisen, and Great Britain’s Jodie Anna Burrage were also among the winners yesterday.
The men’s side of the draw had the day off yesterday as the women finished qualifying, with both draws starting today.
“I like it here, the weather is very nice and beautiful, that is why I feel like I can play well here,” Okamura said.
The Cairns International is part of the Australian Pro Tour, a series of professional tennis events that bridge junior events and the ATP/WTA Tour, providing an opportunity for players to earn their first world ranking points.