Pratt receives main draw wildcard for Gold Coast

Queenslander Nicole Pratt has been granted a wildcard into the main draw of the Mondial Australian Women’s Hardcourts, it was announced today.

Pratt lost a tight three set match to 19-year-old Sophie Ferguson of New South Wales in the inaugural wildcard play-off on Wednesday, but was rewarded for her efforts when she received the final wildcard on offer today.

Qualifying for the Women’s Hardcourts will commence at 9:00am tomorrow, with 32 players competing for four qualifying positions into the main draw.

Wildcards into the qualifying draw were awarded to Shayna McDowell, aged 16, from the Sunshine Coast; 22-year-old Monique Adamczak from New South Wales; and West Australian Jessica Moore, aged 15.

McDowell represented Australia as a member of the Australian Junior Fed Cup Team this year and won two Australian Money Tournaments in August. Adamczak contested the final of the Australian Open wildcard play-off in Melbourne last week, losing a close three setter to Jelena Dokic. Moore won the 14/u National Grasscourt Championships last year and this year went on to win an 18/u ITF title in New South Wales.

World No.1 doubles player, Zimbabwean Cara Black, who is contesting doubles at the Hardcourts with Australian Rennae Stubbs, has received the final wildcard on offer.

Australians Casey Dellacqua and Lauren Breadmore will join the others in the qualifying draw after wins at the Port Pirie and Canberra Internationals respectively to earn their places.

Schedule of Play – Qualifying Day 1 – Australian Players

9:00am East Court 1
Jessica Moore (WA) vs Rika Fujiwara (JPN) – ranked 110 in the world
Followed by
Shayna McDowell (QLD) vs Tiantian Sun (CHN) – Athens doubles gold medallist
Monique Adamczak (NSW) vs [8] Melinda Czink (HUN) – ranked 100
Lauren Breadmore (VIC) vs Casey Dellacqua (WA)

Tickets for the Australian Women’s Hardcourts are currently on sale and are available through Ticketmaster on 1300 136 122. Ticket prices range from $24 through to as little as $48 on the final day. Seven day and four night sessions will be held with ‘season’, ‘family’ and ‘group’ ticket options on offer. Discounts are available for aged pensioners, full-time students and U/16s.

The Hardcourts 2006 enjoys the continued support of the Queensland Government through Queensland Events.

The Hardcourts main draw runs from Sunday 1 - Saturday 7 January 2006 at Royal Pines Resort.