Rising Canberra tennis star Annerly Poulos is "starting to find out what she needs to do to win" big tournaments less than a month out from representing Australia at the junior Fed Cup.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 15-year-old bowed out of the ACT Claycourt International in a 7-6 6-4 defeat at the hands of 20-year-old Japanese top seed Ramu Ueda in the final round of qualifying at the Canberra Tennis Centre on Monday.
Poulos was fighting the World No. 550 for a spot in the AU$78,015 main draw having registered her first WTA win in her second professional event on Saturday.
While the national academy member fell short in the qualifying stages, coach Todd Larkham says the high school student is growing with every match she plays.
"She had two really good wins in the first two rounds and was highly competitive [on Monday] against a girl who is [almost] in the 400s," Larkham said.
"It was a really good tournament for her. She's only just turned 15, so she's up around that No. 500 in the world level I think. That's a good sign and we are looking forward to another tournament next week here.
"The matches are huge for her experience. It does expose any weaknesses that she's got, it shows her where she's at.
"Just competing at this level she's starting to find out what she needs to do to win, what she needs to do under pressure, and how you need to play and how you need to beat these girls.
"To have it in Canberra is incredible on the clay, so great experience, great for her development this week."
Poulos now turns her attention towards the another tournament on home soil before earning Australian honours at a junior Fed Cup event in the Asia-Oceania zone in Malaysia in April.
"I'm really hoping she might get a main draw wildcard next week, based on her performances this week. We won't find out for a couple of days but that's what we're hoping for," Larkham said.
"Then in early April, 12th of April, she will be representing Australia in the junior Fed Cup event, which is in Asia."
The ACT Claycourt International main draw commences on Monday with emerging stars in Australian Fed Cup team member Destanee Aiava and Kimberley Birrell facing off, while Japanese hopefuls Nao Hibino and Miyu Kato playing against Jessica Moore and Zoe Hives respectively.
