Tennis centre heats up
Rising stars on show in Toowoomba
Play in the 2019 Hooper Accountants Toowoomba International hots up tomorrow when the main draw for this year’s ITF Futures tournament begins at Toowoomba Regional Tennis Centre — USQ.
The event brings together rising Australian and international male and female tennis stars at the Baker St complex where they will vie for $50,000 in total prize money and valuable world ranking points.
Singles and doubles will feature throughout the week, climaxing in Sunday’s men’s and women’s finals.
Qualifying matches continue today with hopefuls looking to force their way into the final 32-player main draw.
Spectator entry to the tournament is free.
Chilean Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera and West Australian Maddison Inglis head the main draws.
Barrios Vera, will face strong competition from a field including Tasmanian second seed Harry Bourchier and the 2018 Toowoomba Pro Tour champion, Maverick Banes from Queensland.
World number 328 Luke Saville of Australia looms as a major tournament contender but he must first win through qualifying after being a late Toowoomba International entry.
Saville’s Toowoomba appearance follows his strong showing at last week’s Brisbane QTC International where he was seeded seventh and won through to yesterday’s final where he met fellow Australian Dayne Kelly.
Kelly will also be a part of this week’s main draw.
Inglis is enjoying a career high ranking of world number 189, having broken into the top 200 for the first time this year.
She also contested yesterday’s Brisbane QTC International final where she met American Asia Muhammad — another Toowoomba entry.
Her rivals this week include second seed Destenee Aiva (Vic) and Naiktha Baines (GBR).
“It’s fantastic to see such a strong field for the Toowoomba Pro Tour,” tournament director Emma Creighton said.
“These events provide a chance for people outside of the capital cities to see top quality professional tennis.
“The tennis is international standard and it’s a great opportunity for the public to get down and watch some of the world’s brightest local and international prospects for free.”