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Rodionova survives Wimbledon qualifier

3 minute read

Arina Rodionova, Priscilla Hon and Kaylah McPhee have marched into the second round of Wimbledon qualifying, while four other Australian women bowed out.

ARINA RODIONOVA of Australia runs for a shot during her ladies singles qualifying match against Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania of Wimbledon Qualiifying at the Bank of England Sports Centre in London, England.
ARINA RODIONOVA of Australia runs for a shot during her ladies singles qualifying match against Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania of Wimbledon Qualiifying at the Bank of England Sports Centre in London, England. Picture: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Arina Rodionova has battled past American Asia Muhammad in a three-set thriller to join fellow Australians Priscilla Hon and Kaylah McPhee in the second round of Wimbledon qualifying at Roehampton.

The world No.212 Rodionova prevailed over Muhammad 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (2-7) 8-6 in a marathon opener at the Bank of England Club on Tuesday.

With Australia's Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik and coach Nicole Pratt in the court 6 crowd, Rodionova split the opening two sets with her American opponent and trailed 4-1 in the third before she dug deep to secure victory.

"It definitely gives me confidence that I know I can always come back. It's kind of tough to close out the match; it's first round, nerves. So you're always in there," Rodionova told Tennis Australia.

The 29-year-old will face Misaki Doi in the next round on Wednesday, with Hon and McPhee also making it through the first round.

Queenslander Hon beat Ukrainian Katarina Zavatska 7-5 6-3 to set up a second round clash with American Caty McNally.

"I just needed to back myself. It's never easy, but it worked out well today. I felt pretty confident going in," the 21-year-old Hon told Tennis Australia.

McPhee eliminated local hope Maia Lumsden 6-4 6-4 to get her maiden tilt at the grand slam off to a flying start.

"Just being here was a real pleasure - it's like a really prestigious event, even qualifying, and to get the win is the icing on top of the cake," McPhee told Tennis Australia.

However, Destanee Aiava, Zoe Hives, Ellen Perez and Kimberly Birrell were all sent packing after suffering straight-sets defeats in their opening matches.

Aiava fell to Italian Martina Di Guiseppe 7-6 6-4, while Hives was downed 6-1 7-5 by Russian Anna Blinkova.

Ellen Perez was ousted by Kazakh Elena Rybakina 6-1 6-4 and Birrell bowed out to Japan's Doi 6-1 4-6 7-5.

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