AO Press Release, December 17, 2017
Seventeen-year-old Destanee Aiava (Narre Warren, Vic) and 18-year-old Alex De Minaur (Sydney, NSW) have been awarded Australian Open 2018 wildcards after winning the AO Play-off finals in Melbourne today.
Aiava defeated fellow Victorian Tammi Patterson 6-4 6-0 while De Minaur overcame Alex Bolt (SA) 6-2 6-4 6-7(1) 6-1.
“I just wanted to … keep building and building momentum and keep firing my shots with confidence. That worked out well,” Aiava said after being presented with her player accreditation by Australia’s Fed Cup Captain Alicia Molik.
“I was trying not to think about the prize at the end. I just wanted to go for it. After the (match) point was done I was just so relieved.”
Aiava is looking forward to a second straight appearance in the Australian Open main draw and feels her experience from the 2017 event will stand her in good stead.
“I think I’m a lot more confident now … I think when I step out onto the court I’ll not feel so overwhelmed. I’ve been around the world this year playing all four Grand Slams so looking forward to the challenge now.”
De Minaur was also thrilled to post the win today and receive his player credentials from Davis Cup captain and mentor Lleyton Hewitt.
“I couldn’t be happier with my level and I can’t wait for the Australian summer to come,” De Minaur said.
“I think I’ve still got a lot to get better at. But this week my level was great throughout the whole matches. I didn’t think I dropped my concentration at all.
“I’m really looking forward to it (playing AO2018). I think I’m a better player all round – physically and mentally (compared with 12 months ago).
“I’m really looking forward to playing against these high-level opponents and seeing where my game’s at … being able to compete against these guys and give it all I’ve got.”
A women’s doubles wildcard was also up for grabs at the AO Play-off, and was awarded to Belinda Woolcock (Vic) and Astra Sharma (WA) who won 6-1 3-6 [10-3] over Aiava and Patterson.
Last week 18-year-old Jaimee Fourlis (Vic) defeated Aiava to win the Australian 18/u title, a feat which also earned her a main draw wildcard for the Australian Open.
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AO Play-off Day 7 results – Men’s and Women’s singles finals |
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[2] Destanee Aiava (Vic) |
d |
Tammi Patterson (Vic) |
6-4 6-0 |
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[2] Alex De Minaur (NSW) |
d |
[1] Alex Bolt (SA) |
6-2 6-4 6-7(1) 6-1 |
Women’s Australian Open main draw wildcards (as at 17 December 2017)
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US Reciprocal: |
Kristy Ahn (USA) |
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French Reciprocal: |
Jessica Ponchet (FRA) |
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Asia Pacific Play-Off: |
Xinyu Wang (CHN) |
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Australian Pro Tour: |
Olivia Rogowska (AUS) |
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18/U Australian Girls’: |
Jaimee Fourlis (AUS) |
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Discretionary |
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) |
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Australian Open Play-Off: |
Destanee Aiava (AUS) |
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One discretionary wildcard |
TBC |
Men’s Australian Open main draw wildcards (as at 17 December 2017)
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US reciprocal: |
Tim Smyczek (USA) |
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French reciprocal: |
Corentin Moutet (FRA) |
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Asia Pacific Play-off: |
Soon Woo Kwon (KOR) |
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Discretionary: |
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) |
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Australian Open Play-off |
Alex De Minaur (AUS) |
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Three discretionary wildcards |
TBC |
