 Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 27 Jan 2004 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 27 Jan 2004 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 27 Jan 2004 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 27 Jan 2004 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 27 Jan 2004 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 28 Jan 2004 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 28 Jan 2004 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 28 Jan 2004 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 28 Jan 2004 |
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| 27 Jan 2004 - Melbourne Park, Australia - Eleanor Preston | |
| Sun shines for Asian players |
Now that the Australian Open has been re-branded as the Grand Slam of Asia Pacific, it’s no surprise to see Asian players making themselves at home at Melbourne Park for the junior Australian Open.
China’s Sheng-Nan Sun wasted little time in disposing of local 13-year-old Tyra Calderwood, the youngest player in the girls’ draw. Sun beat Calderwood 6-4, 6-1.
“It’s good for Asian players that we feel part of the tournament,” said Sun, who was born in Beijing. “It makes us all feel good to be here.”
Ironically Sun, seeded eight, was one of the few players who were delighted to see rain falling on Tuesday morning. The 17-year-old spent December practising on indoor courts in Beijing and couldn’t have been happier to see her match against Calderwood moved to the indoor courts.
“I was so happy to see the rain because I prefer to play indoors because it suits my game,” she said. “I like it when there is no rain and no wind. I play better that way.”
Sun said her goal is to make the semi-finals, but she is anxious that she doesn’t put too much pressure on herself. “You never know, maybe my level is not yet good enough for that. I will just try to have fun,” she said.
Sanaa Bhambri of India also moved through the 2nd round after a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Jennifer Elie of the USA.
Thirteenth seed Shahar Peer (ISR) scored the day’s most emphatic win, beating poor Olivia Lukaszewicz of Australia 6-0, 6-0. Lukaszewicz also lost by the same scoreline to Justine Henin-Hardenne in the main draw.
Peer plays another Australian, Sophie Ferguson next. Ferguson beat her friend and sometime training partner Julianne Welford 6-2, 6-3.
“In some ways it’s easier to play another Australian and in other ways it’s harder,” said Ferguson. “It’s always hard to play a friend. Julianne and I come from different states but we still know each other pretty well and it was strange to see her on the other side of the net. In some ways it can be an advantage though, because I did know her game.”
Ferguson is also friendly with Lukaszewicz, and pledged to ask for advice on what she can expect from Peer when they play.
In other results, Russia’s Alla Kudryatseva; Serbia’s Vojislava Lukic and second seeded Czech Veronika Chvojkova all scored wins.
The biggest upset in the boys’ was Novak Djokovic’s (SER) 6-1, 6-1 victory over eleventh seed Julien Gely. Seeds Bruno Rosa (BRA), Josselyn Ouanna (FRA), Sun Yong Kim (KOR) and Brendan Evans (USA) all moved safely through to the second round.
To read reports from previous days at Melbourne Park click here to go to the Grand Slam page.
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