Queenslander Priscilla Hon has broken a two-year singles crown drought after defeating Ellen Perez (AUS) 6-4 4-6 7-5 at the Bendigo Women’s International Pro Tour singles final.
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Despite Perez gaining the upper hand early in the match by breaking the Queenslander’s serve in the third game, Hon came back firing and was able to break back to level the score to 3-3 in the first set.
Once the score had reached 5-4 in the first, Perez was required to hold serve to keep the set alive, but Hon managed to take out the set 6-4.
Perez gained momentum in the second, taking her game to the next level with a collection of impressive shots which saw her take out the set against Hon 6-4.
A tie-break looked to be on the horizon to settle the third. However, Perez double faulted on Hon’s first match point to settle the tournament.
After the match Hon was “over the moon” about the victory over Perez.
“Ellen is a great competitor, it can be so tough when you play her,” Hon said.
“She has so much power and she can hit the ball anywhere on the court, you never really know what to expect and it’s hard to build-up a rhythm against her.”
Hon’s coach Brett Hunter said she had put in the hard work to get into the final and the victory was a reward for her effort.
“She is playing and competing at a different level, and bringing back valuable experience from WTA events,” Hunter said.
“We have seen her make continuous improvements with her game throughout the year.
“Priscilla’s serve is one of her major strengths, we base a lot of her game around her serve and today she played to her strengths very well.
“As tennis players we search for the winning feeling and when it comes along, you have to run with it and ride the wave of momentum,”
Perez has reached the final round of the last four consecutive Tour Pro singles finals and has been runner-up each time.
However, she is determined to do one better in future tournaments.
“It’s a matter of time, I will hang in there and keep doing the right things, and I will get there eventually,” Perez said.
In a bitter sweet outcome, Perez was crowned as a doubles champion of the tournament alongside fellow Australian player Arina Rodionova.
The pair defeated Eri Hozumi (JPN) and Risa Ozaki (JPN) 7-5 6-1 in the doubles final held on Saturday.
Tournament director Andy Reynolds of Tennis Victoria said the final was a display of excellent tennis.
“I know Ellen is exhausted from the doubles and playing four finals in the last few weeks, so for her to get to three sets was great,” Reynolds said.
“Priscilla is a solid player.
“She’s strong on-court and doesn’t make many mistakes and this is the first of many wins for Priscilla.
“We will hear a lot more about her in the future.”
Fosterville Gold Tennis Centre general manager Dean Skrobalak said it had been a fantastic week of tennis in Bendigo.
“We were totally blessed throughout the week with great weather, amazing volunteers and the players were a pleasure to deal with,” Skrobalak said.
“This was my first Pro Tour as general manager and I’m looking forward to next year to make it bigger and better.”
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