Priscilla Hon claims ACT Clay Court International #1 title

In an All-Australian final Priscilla Hon has come from a set down to defeat the top seed and world no. 144 Olivia Gadecki in the ITF 60k event.

The pair had last met in early February on the hard courts in Burnie when Gadecki won comfortably 6-2, 6-2 in a quarterfinal.

The match at the Canberra Tennis Centre was played in extreme heat and lasted two hours and forty six minutes.

Gadecki won the first set after five breaks of serve, taking it 6-4.

Hon stormed back in the second set getting two breaks of serve and not facing a break point against her serve.

The players took an extended break at the end of the second set due to the extreme heat.

Under a surprisingly hot autumn sun it was Hon that would lift enough to claim the title with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory.

Hon had lost the 2019 final in Canberra during week two of back-to-back clay court titles. On that occasion losing to Olivia Rogowska 7-6(6), 6-3.

Another finals appearance in Canberra on hard court in 2022 also saw Hon come off second best. Hon losing 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2 to Aisa Muhammad.

It took Hon nine visits to Canberra and three finals to eventually claim a title.

The win takes Hon’s ranking to no. 158, her career high is no. 118 back on October 14, 2019.

After Gadecki’s runnerup result the Queenslander stays at her career high ranking of no. 144.

Both players are competing in the ACT Claycourt International #2 starting on 21 March.

Gadecki is again the top seed with Hon the no. 3 seed.

Gadecki will play qualifier Kaylah McPhee in the first round. Hon has a tough match against Maddison Inglis.