CROATIAN Tereza Mrdeza has defeated top seed Rebecca Peterson 6-3 6-3 to win the Margaret River Tennis International.
The seventh seed took full advantage of every opportunity on Saturday, winning all six break points that came her way. In contrast, her Swedish opponent only managed to break serve on four of 10 occasions.
At 24, this was Mrdeza's first ITF title since 2011. She has competed in five finals since then and was clearly very pleased at having broken the drought.
"I'm really happy to finally win one," Mrdeza said after claiming the title.
"I played with no mistakes today."
These events provide a chance for Australian players to play top quality professional tennis, and allow the local community to get close to the action free of charge.
- Tournament director Loretta Hughes
Since a shaky opening round, where Victorian Viktorija Rajicic held a 3-0 lead in the final set, the Croatian has not looked back, providing an exclamation point with a perfect semifinal that she won without the loss of a game.
Her opponent in the final though, looked a more difficult proposition. Nineteen year-old Peterson had been the in-form player over the past few weeks, winning in Perth and looking full of confidence.
She was also continuing the run of a Swede appearing in every final of the Australian Pro Tour thus far, with Ellen Allgurin a runner-up in Cairns and taking the title in Toowoomba.
"[Peterson] is in amazing form," admitted Mrdeza. "She's young, but for sure she can be a great player."
Mrdeza now travels to Bendigo, and vows to take things "day by day, match by match".
"I am just trying to do my best and we will see what happens," she said.
In terms of repeating her two wins in the qualifying rounds at the Australian Open in 2013, Mrdeza says she is trying to not look that far ahead.
"But if I play well, I hope so," she added.
Final score: Tereza MRDEZA (CRO) [7] def. Rebecca PETERSON (SWE) [1] 6-3, 6-3
The Margaret River Tennis International final was played at the Margaret River Tennis Club on Saturday with support from local spectators.
Families also had the chance to take part in fun activities at the nearby Tennis West Family Tennis Day, including free lessons for children, tennis demonstrations, hit the target games, speed serve and more.
Tournament director Loretta Hughes was pleased with the event’s success.
“It’s fantastic to see such a strong field for the Margaret River Tennis International,” Hughes said.
“These events provide a chance for Australian players to play top quality professional tennis, and allow the local community to get close to the action free of charge.”
She also praised the Augusta-Margaret River Shire and the Department of Sport and Recreation for their ongoing support.
