Michaela Laki is making waves during her Australian Open Juniors debut, winning her third match against the Czech Republic’s Dominika Salkova, 3-6, 7-6, 6-7.
The 16-year-old from Greece has made it into the quarter finals of the Juniors, after first taking out Switzerland’s Chelsea Fontenel, 7-6 (3), 6-0 on Saturday.
“I really like the atmosphere here,” Laki told itftennis.com after her match.
“Melbourne has a huge Greek community, and I was very excited to come and experience that. There were a lot of Greeks outside the court supporting me, which was great.”
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After her first round match, the young tennis hopeful made her way over to Rod Laver Arena to watch fellow countryman Stefanos Tsitsipas play Benoit Paire.
“For any Greek athlete, Stefanos and Maria [Sakkari] are a great inspiration…They motivate us to play our best and reach our goals. They also make us feel like we can do the same as them. Being at the same tournament as them is very special and it motivates me to play my best and be like them,” she said.
Laki was then placed up against the United Kingdom’s Ranah Akua Stoiber in a tough three setter, losing the first set 4-6, but came back swinging to take the match home, clearing the last two sets 6-4, 6-4.
Today’s battle saw her bring back the flair she needed to conquer yet another tie break. Laki started off strong, clearing out her first set with ease. The final two sets were taken to tie breakers, but the sixth seeded Laki stood her ground, snatching the all important third set.
Laki is set to play Liv Hovde from the United States in their quarter finals match tomorrow.