There is a depleted cast of Brits in Australia for the Open preceded by this traditional warm-up event. Ella McDonald and Ranah Stoiber came out for the United Cup event, and have been joined only by Imogen Haddad, who lost in qualifying. Mimi Xu was a late withdrawal from both events this week, while other top juniors have opted for Latin America.
Ranah takes on one of the top ranked 14 year olds in round 1
Ranah won comfortably while Ella prevailed after a close contest. Ranah was the only seed to prevail in the top quarter and she faces an American who beat Ella in the semis of the Mexican Grade A in November
R1 (L64)
(12) Ranah Akua Stoiber d. Wakana Sonobe (JPN) 6-3 6-3
(2) Ella McDonald d. (Q) Emily Sartz-Lande (NOR) 4-6 6-2 6-4
R2
(12) Ranah Akua Stoiber v Ariana Anazagasty-Pursoo (USA)
(WC) Alana Subasic (AUS) v (2) Ella McDonald
Smooth progress for both to round 3. Ella plays the young Slovakian who edged out Mimi in a Grade 2 final in October, in between reaching 60k quarters and semis
R2
(12) Ranah Akua Stoiber d. Ariana Anazagasty-Pursoo (USA) 6-3 7-5 (2) Ella McDonald d. (WC) Alana Subasic (AUS) 6-2 6-0
R3
(12) Ranah Akua Stoiber v (Q) Rebecca Munk Mortensen (DEN) (13) Renata Jamrichova (SVK) v (2) Ella McDonald
-- Edited by DavidC on Saturday 14th of January 2023 09:29:53 AM
Two onesided matches, one in our favour with the fast rising Slovakian having no trouble with Ella, while Ranah eased into the quarters. She plays the Turk who eliminated the top seed in round 1. Ella and Ranah prospered in doubles
R3
(12) Ranah Akua Stoiber d. (Q) Rebecca Munk Mortensen (DEN) 6-2 6-1
(13) Renata Jamrichova (SVK) d. (2) Ella McDonald 6-1 6-2
Unlike the other slams there are few tournaments to go on or off the rankings between the close of entries and the start of the tournament. Hence most of the seedings will stay as per the entry order, assuming there are no late withdrawals. It would be particularly unfortunate for Ranah to miss out, as she was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon
Doubles SF
(1) McDonald/Udvardy (GBR/HUN) v (3) Ishii/Koike (JPN)