Star claims first pro win

By PETER PUSAL
PAPUA New Guinea tennis professional Abigail Tere-Apisah claimed her first tournament win on Sunday when she beat Russia’s Valeria Savinykh 6-3, 6-2 in the final to claim the Singapore ITF Women’s 25K title.
The event (May 13-19) on the International Tennis Federation World Tour saw the 26-year-old earn US$25,000 (K84,322).
“It definitely was a memorable week for me but it was also tough getting there,” Tere-Apisah said.
“I always say that regardless of whether I win or lose a match, it’s really what I take away from it and what I learn from it.
“And I like to take each match at a time because every single match that I play individually does count.
“In saying that, winning my first professional title is really a thrill because it means that I am at the stage where I trust my game and I trust my own personal journey, however long it may take to get there,” Tere-Apisah said.
“Mum and dad were absolutely ecstatic. They send me messages every morning wishing me well and I truly thrive on their constant reminders because they are my biggest supporters.”
The Morobe/Central lass beat India’s Sowjanya Bavisetti 6-3, 6-3 in the first round at the Kallang Tennis Centre before accounting for Thai Nudnida Luangnam, pictured, 7-5, 6-7 (2), 7-5 in the second round.
Tere-Apisah, who lost second set, said her match against Luangnam was her toughest because of the conditions.
“My second round match against Nudnida Luangnam was my toughest,” Tere-Apisah said.
“She’s a very solid and consistent player and with the weather being unbearable and just unpleasant to play in, it was honestly very tough out there.
“I almost came close to losing that match being 4-1 down in the final set.
“Somehow I managed to stay with her even though I was truly suffering from the heat, we both were, and dug deep and came on top in the end.”
Tere-Apisah went on to beat another Thai Chompoothip Jundakate 6-1, 6-1 in the quarterfinals before dispatching Turk Ipek Soylu 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the semifinals.
Tere-Apisah said playing on the tour was physically and mentally demanding with tournaments coming back-to-back requiring her to manage her recovery and training.
“I was able to enjoy the evening and reflect on the week, I am also taking today (Monday) off to recover but I won’t be spending too much time celebrating because my next tournament starts tomorrow at the same venue.
“So as much as I’d like to take a week off, that isn’t my case, because I have two more weeks of tournaments lined up; this week in Singapore again and next week in Hong Kong. Depending on how I do these next two weeks, will kind of determine where I will go next after the Pacific Games.
“So I am keeping my options open.”