Canberra Velocity star Alison Bai is riding high on confidence after guiding the team into the Asia Pacific Tennis League final and hopes it can help her clinch an Australian Open berth this week.
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The 24-year-old will battle for an Australian Open wildcard in Melbourne just days after completing an undefeated season for the Velocity and continuing a remarkable run of not dropping a set in the tournament.
It's that form that she hopes can help her secure a wildcard for the first time since 2009.
Bai, ranked 489 in the world, finished her business and commerce university degree in July and she has turned all of her focus to her dream of becoming a professional tennis player.
"It's a bit of a blur because the [Asia Pacific Tennis League] is such a fast format and I'm just hoping I can do the same through this tournament, it shows me that I've improved," Bai said.
"I feel like I'm hitting the ball well and, fingers crossed, I can get a good draw. The format has changed since I last played for a wildcard because I've been focused on uni.
"The pressure is on in a knockout. You've got to be switched on from the start or you're down and out."
Bai and Alexandra Nancarrow are vying for Australian Open wildcards from Tuesday. But Nancarrow, who has jumped almost 600 ranking spots this year, injured her ankle playing for the Velocity and hopes to rebound for the playoff.
The Velocity beat the UTS Lizards 4-2 in the series at Surrey Hills on Friday night, despite Nancarrow being substituted out after rolling her ankle in the second set of the first match.
The Canberra team of Imogen Clews, Bai, Tyra Calderwood and Maria Vais rallied to triumph and earn a chance to play for the title in January.
Bai has not lost a set in either the singles or doubles events and hopes Canberra can win the title, with the Asia Pacific Tennis League final to be played in the second week of the Australian Open.
AT A GLANCE
Asia Pacific Tennis League conference final: Singles - Abbie Myers (UTS) bt Alexandra Nancarrow (substitute Imogen Clews) (Velocity) bt 3-4 (2), 0-4; Alison Bai (Velocity) bt Sonja Balic (UTS) 4-1, 4-0; Tyra Calderwood (Velocity) bt Lucie Kriegsmannova (UTS) 0-4, 4-3(4), 4-3 (2); Maria Vais (Velocity) bt Jess Engels (UTS) 2-4, 4-3(1), 4-1. Doubles: Bai/Calderwood (Velocity) bt Myers/Balic (UTS) 4-1, 4-1; Kriegsmannova/Engels (UTS) bt Clews/Vais (Velocity) 0-4, 1-4.
