Aiava takes wildcard

TEEN sensation Destanee Aiava booked her spot in the women’s singles at next month’s Australian Open at the second attempt with a crushing win over Tammi Patterson in the wildcard playoff final.

The 17-year-old Aiava won 6-4, 6-0 yesterday against the third-seeded Patterson at Melbourne Park.

Aiava’s victory came a week after she was beaten by Jaimee Fourlis in the final of the Australian under-18 championship, with the winner of that match also guaranteed an Open wildcard.

“I came into it this week thinking that I’ll just go for it and I have nothing to lose,” said the second-seeded Aiava after seeing off Patterson.