James Duckworth is on fire, winning two consecutive ATP Challenger singles titles for the first time in his career. After his flawless run at a tournament in China, Duckworth carried his momentum to an Australian Pro Tour event in Adelaide, where he dominated his opponents to take home the City of Playford Tennis International singles title. In the final, Duckworth defeated Coleman Wong from Hong Kong in straight sets, 7-5 7-5, capping off a brilliant week of tennis.
I’ve never won back-to-back weeks before, so to consistently put together 10 good matches is a real confidence boost,” Duckworth said.
It was an epic battle between Duckworth and his 19-year-old opponent, with Duckworth having to work hard to win the match. Despite facing pressure from his opponent, the fourth-seeded Aussie kept his composure and saved eight of the nine break points he faced during the match, which lasted an impressive one hour and 43 minutes. There was never a dull moment in the game, and Duckworth displayed true grit and determination to come out victorious.
“It was a really difficult match. Coleman has been playing great this whole week,” Duckworth said.
Duckworth is certainly on a roll, adding his 21st career singles title to his growing list of achievements. His latest title, the 14th at the ATP Challenger level, is a testament to his consistency and dedication. As the first-ever two-time singles champion of the Playford tournament, it’s clear that Duckworth is a force to be reckoned with. The Australian player is grateful for the support he’s received from the crowd, saying that it’s helped him in crucial moments during the tournament. It’s safe to say that Duckworth has made a lasting impression in Playford.
Astra Sharma has certainly lived up to her star-studded name, dominating the ITF 60 women’s singles competition and taking home the title. The 28-year-old Aussie’s 7-6(6) 6-0 victory against Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland was nothing short of spectacular, as she went through the tournament without dropping a single set. This is Sharma’s 10th career singles title, and her first title win on home soil in five years, a triumph that will no doubt be remembered for years to come.
“It means a lot to have won the title this week,” Sharma said.
In a post-match interview, Sharma shared her thoughts on the match, stating that it was a “tricky” game, but that she managed to find her rhythm in the second set. She also praised the hospitality of the tournament and the people involved, saying that they more than made up for the challenging weather conditions. Sharma and her doubles partner Kaylah McPhee put up a good fight, but ultimately lost to the all-conquering pairing of Talia Gibson and Priscilla Hon. Gibson and Hon, both Australians, dominated the doubles draw, winning every match without dropping a single set.
The Australian Pro Tour will now continue in Sydney, and we look forward to hosting another fantastic tournament here in Playford next year.” The next stop on the Australian Pro Tour is Sydney, where players will compete in the NSW Open at Sydney Olympic Park.
