THE Sunraysia region’s biggest tennis event of the year is back as qualifiers hit the court for the Mildura International Pro Tour event.
Returning following a four-year hiatus due to COVID restrictions and flooding, experienced tour players and up-and-comers alike from around the globe will battle on arguably the best grass courts in Australia for the prize kitty of over $37,000 for the winners.
Mildura’s scolding March weather could make a huge impact in the opening days of the tournament, but the bureau has forecast kinder temperatures later in the week, albeit with some rain about.
Qualifying rounds began Sunday and continue on Monday with the main draws, which are still to be confirmed at the time of writing, to begin on Tuesday.
In the men’s singles draw, current world No.289 Alex Bolt enters as the top ranked player on the ATP rankings.
Last year Bolt won ITF tour events in Bakersfield, California, and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and lost the final of his most recent tournament on the hard courts of Traralgon to fellow Aussie Li Tu 2-6, 4-6 on March 3.
Rising star James McCabe, who made the main draw of the Australian Open for the first time this year, is one to watch.
The 20-year-old right-hander, who was born in the Philippines and learned his trade in Sydney, is yet to win a career singles title but will see Mildura as a great opportunity to do so.
Riverland boy Luke Saville, a fan favourite in Mildura and 2015 tournament champion, returns to Sunraysia, as does Japanese right-hander Rio Noguchi, who was runner-up to Britain’s Brydan Klein in the most recent Mildura final in 2020.
On the women’s side of the draw, Mildura regular Maddison Inglis is back with the world No.288 likely to be one of the tournament favourites.
The 26-year-old impressed during the Australian Open in January, winning her way through to the third round before going down to Ukranian Daria Sniger in three sets.
Veteran Jia-Jing Liu of China, 21-year-old Aussie Tina Nadine Smith, Japan’s Yuki Naito, a quarter-finalist at the recent Pro Tour event in Burnie, and Lizette Cabrera, a quarter-finalist at the 2019 Mildura event, will be among the favourites.
Finals will be played on Sunday, March 17.
Entry is free at Mildura Lawn Tennis Club.
