Gray Steers Past Chan in Women’s Victorian Open

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World No.231 Moana Gray came up with a superlative performance that belied her World Ranking as she survived a mammoth five-game match with fellow Australian Jasmine Chan in the opening round of the Victorian Open, W15 tournament.

Despite playing someone over 100 places above her in the World Rankings, Gray stormed into a two-game lead before letting her opponent back in to it with some unforced errors in the third and fourth games. Gray steadied the ship impressively though in the fifth and final game and pulled away to open up a commanding lead and take the victory.

The superb triumph sees her through to the second round where she will face number five seed Siyoli Waters after the South African received a bye in the previous round.

Sachika Ingale overcame Danielle Fourie in a 3-1 victory to set up a clash with Amanda Landers-Murphy while Alexandra Fuller dispatched Natalie Newton.

Selena Shaikh bested Stephanie Wighton in straight games to set up a second round encounter with third seed Joshana Chinappa and Reyna Pacheco will face City of Devenport Tasmanian Open winner Christine Nunn after the United States player thrashed Alexia Clonda.

Results – First Round: Victorian Open 2015
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bye
[11] Jessica Turnbull (AUS) bye
[16] Reyna Pacheco (MEX) bt Alexia Clonda (EST) 3-0: 11-3, 11-2, 11-4 (13m)
[8] Christine Nunn (AUS) bye
[7] Megan Craig (NZL) bye
[13] Alexandra Fuller (RSA) bt Natalie Newton (AUS) 3-1: 11-3, 9-11, 11-4, 11-2 (26m)
[14] Selena Shaikh (AUS) bt Stephanie Wighton (AUS) 3-0: 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 (24m)
[3] Joshana Chinappa (IND) bye
[4] Donna Urquhart (AUS) bye
[10] Cheyna Tucker (RSA) bye
Moana Gray (AUS) bt [15] Jasmine Chan (AUS) 3-2: 12-10, 11-4, 9-11, 7-11, 11-4 (53m)
[5] Siyoli Waters (RSA) bye
[6] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) bye
[12] Sachika Ingale (IND) v Danielle Fourie (NZL) 3-1: 11-7, 12-10, 12-14, 12-10
[9] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) bye
[2] Line Hansen (DEN) bye

Draw – Second Round
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v [11] Jessica Turnbull (AUS)
[16] Reyna Pacheco (MEX) v [8] Christine Nunn (AUS)
[7] Megan Craig (NZL) v [13] Alexandra Fuller (RSA)
[14] Selena Shaikh (AUS) v [3] Joshana Chinappa (IND)
[4] Donna Urquhart (AUS) v [10] Cheyna Tucker (RSA)
Moana Gray (AUS) v [5] Siyoli Waters (RSA)
[6] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) v [12] Sachika Ingale (IND)
[9] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) v [2] Line Hansen (DEN)