Mixed bag for Kiwis in first round action in Papamoa

Vivian Yang has come back down to earth two days after winning the ITF women’s World Tour event in Wellington. The 17-year-old has lost her first-round match at the ITF US $25,000 tournament in Papamoa.

Yang has been beaten 6-4 7-5 by Australian 5^th seed Lisa Mays. Better news for 7^th seed Paige Hourigan who has thumped Kiwi qualifier Sofia Shing 6-1 6-2. Jade Otway fresh from making the final in Wellington has impressed with a 6-1 6-2 win over India’s Ashmitha Easwaramurthi and 6^th seed Monique Barry has beaten Australia’s Angelina Graovac 6-1 6-2. There have been straight sets defeats for young Kiwis Shona Nakano, Renee Zhang and Kyna Decruy.

Erin Routliffe was leading Norwegian qualifier Lene Mari Bolkesjo Hovda 3-2 on serve in the third set when rain forced an early end to the day’s action.

In the men’s US $15,000 tournament at the same venue, the top two seeds have completed straight sets wins to reach the second round.

Rai the top seed and winner of last week’s World Tour event in Wellington ended the day with a 7-6 6-4 win over Aussie Jessie Delaney.

Earlier second seeded Statham who skipped last week’s tournament in the capital, accounted for Japan’s Yuichiro Inui 7-6 (4) 6-3.

There was to be no repeat success for Kiwi wildcard James Watt who made the final in Wellington. He’s been beaten 6-4 6-4 by Australian Kody Pearson. 4^th seed Kiranpal Pannu has easily accounted for top junior Jack Loutit 6-2 6-1 while Isaac Becroft has beaten American Preston Brown 6-2 6-4. Rob Reynolds won the battle of the qualifiers against Aussie Rhys Searant 3-6 6-3 6-2.

The other Kiwis in singles action, George Stoupe, Alexander Klintcharov, Finn Reynolds and Caelan Potts have all been beaten in the first round.