Destanee Aiava has claimed her maiden Grand Slam win in a three-hour marathon in opposition to Belgian Greet Minnen, after being a set and 5-2 down.
Melbourne, Australia, 13 January 2025 | Jackson Mansell
Destanee Aiava has pulled off arguably the wildest comeback of her profession in opposition to Belgian Greet Minnen to safe her maiden main triumph.
The world No.195 saved two match factors within the remaining set to notch her first Australian Open victory in 5 makes an attempt. In a battle that lasted precisely three hours, Aiava claimed proceedings 5-7 7-5 7-6[10-5] in entrance of a packed Court docket 3.
“I’m simply tremendous blissful to get by way of and at last win a first-round [match] of singles at a Grand Slam, particularly at my house Slam as properly,” she mentioned. “It was very nice and particular and the gang bought me by way of.”
DESTANEE FULFILLED AT #AO2025
Aiava fights again from the brink to attain her first AO major draw victory! @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/RZbtWLTNMR
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2025
Aiava’s victory makes her one in every of 9 Australians to prevail on a mammoth Day 2.
“I felt like I wasn’t taking part in my finest,” she mentioned reflecting on the primary half of the match. “I used to be getting a bit unfavourable within the first set. She had quite a lot of momentum and I simply informed myself, if I’ve to say ‘come on’ each single level that I win, then I’m gonna try this and I have to do no matter it takes to return again.
“I simply heard the gang get louder so I attempted to make use of that to my benefit.”
> READ: Talia Gibson information first Grand Slam triumph
A break of serve was exhausting to return by within the opening set as each gamers defended their serve solidly. Three consecutive unforced errors from Aiava within the twelfth recreation nevertheless noticed Minnen break to like and acquire the primary set 7-5.
> READ: Ajla Tomljanovic secures emphatic win at Melbourne Park
Minnen cruised to an early 5-2 lead within the second set, however Aiava wouldn’t give up. The Victorian secured her first break of the match whereas the world No.91 was serving for the match at 5-3.
Down 0-30 at 5-4 within the second set, a operating forehand winner down the road from Aiava sharply shifted the momentum. 5 consecutive recreation wins from 5-2 down levelled the match.
The Belgian introduced up two match factors on Aiava’s serve at 5-4, within the remaining set, though Aiava continued to assault, managing to carry serve.
Aiava finally gained the encounter convincingly within the tiebreak to advance to the second spherical, the place she is going to play tenth seed Danielle Collins.
Discover your strategy to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to hit the court docket and have some enjoyable!
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