The singles finals at the Burnie International on Saturday were straight sets affairs, with Aussie Omar Jasika and American Asia Muhammad easily collecting the titles.
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It feels incredible to win this, as we have been working hard the last few months.
- Burnie International men's champion Omar Jasika
Jasika, 19, was dominant against his good mate Blake Mott, winning 6-2, 6-2, in just over an hour in what was a look into the future of Australian tennis.
“I’d been playing some great tennis coming in, and thought I’d have a few close matches and maybe get close, but I didn’t think I would get this far to be honest,’’ he said.
“What I’ve been trying to work on the last few months is just valuing the first few points, as once you get a good start it makes a difference.
“It feels incredible to win this, as we have been working hard the last few months.”
He lost at Happy Valley earlier in the year, and said the lessons from that, about being prepared for the different atmosphere of a final, had held him in good stead against the 2016 Launceston International champion.
The Liam Smith coached left-hander was also happy to admit that his now famous time as Roger Federer’s hitting partner had helped boost his confidence to a level that he could take that next step.
“He gave me a few tips and I learnt a lot in that practice and just hitting with him, and it was just incredible to experience.”
Twenty-five-year-old Muhammad was dynamic in her demolition of Australian eighth seed and 2011 champion Arina Rodionova.
She won 6-2, 6-1 in one hour and five minutes.
“I didn’t let the conditions (the wind) upset me today, and I noticed she did, so I am happy with the mental performance and the physical performance,’’ she said.
“I actually felt like off the ground today that this was my best game, and I was using that to get in.
“I felt great on my returns, but I didn’t really feel great on my serve, as my ball toss was all over the place and I felt I had to manage that.
“But I just tried to stay positive and not get too flustered with the wind and just go to plan B.”
In the men’s doubles Dane Propoggia and Brydan Klein teamed up to upset top seeds Steven De Waard and Luke Saville 6-3, 6-4 in one hour, five minutes and 26 seconds.
It was Propoggia’s return to the court after 18 months out with a shoulder injury.
“I’ve been playing with Brydan for many years now and it is really comfortable out there,’’ Propoggia said.
“It is always a lot easier to play with him no doubt.”
Klein added: “We played really well and gave ourselves chances the whole time.
“We were quite clinical and getting towards the end of the match I wasn’t really that nervous.”
Finals day at the Burnie Tennis Centre started with Japan’s Riko Sawayanagi and Barbora Stefkova, of the Czech Republic, winning the women’s doubles title.
They defeated Aussie Alison Bai and Thailand’s Varatchaya Wongteanchai 7-6, 4-6, 10-7.