Already eliminated from the start last week at the Nouméa Challenger, the Belgian is going through a difficult start to the season, having managed to escape qualifying in Melbourne last year. “It’s a difficult time for mehe admits. I will return to Belgium and continue working. I was hoping I could change the dynamic here, but I couldn’t. We will have to analyze things and improve what is wrong, without falling into alarmism.”
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Bailly and pris sa revanche
Second and last Belgian entered during this first day, Gilles-Arnaud Bailly (ATP 207) made it through the first round. The Limburger won 6-4, 6-4 against the Briton Jack Pinnington Jones (ATP 196). A great revenge after his defeat against the same opponent last week at the Canberra Challenger.
“I was very stressed, and it had been a long time since that happened to mehe confided. But it’s normal here: you want to do well, you see all these great players around you and you want to join them as quickly as possible. It was a first for me, it’s part of the learning process.”
Despite a delicate start, the Belgian number 5 never gave up. “I didn’t start very well, with a few mistakes, then I adjusted. He was a little less into it. In the second set, at 5-2, I felt that he was regaining his level but I managed a good last game.”
In the second round, Bailly will challenge the Spaniard Roberto Carballés Baena (ATP 147), former member of the top 50. “It could be a good match. I saw that Alexander (Blockx) played against him for three hours last week so I’m going to ask him for advice. The anxiety of the first match is behind me. Now it’s a bonus: I have to enjoy and play my best tennis.”
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Five Belgians competing on Tuesday night
Next night will see the entry into the running of the last five Belgians entered in these qualifications in Melbourne:
– Alexander Blockx (ATP 95) against the Italian Marco Cecchinato (ATP 230)
– Kimmer Coppejans (ATP 250) against the Japanese Kei Nishikori (ATP 237)
– Greet Minnen (WTA 123) against the Portuguese Francisca Jorge (WTA 213)
– Hanne Vandewinkel (WTA 125) against the American Carol Youngsuh Lee (WTA 209)
– Sofia Costoulas (WTA 143) against the Thai Lanlana Tararudee (WTA 131).
