Aussie Tennis Teens Set For The Big Show In Brisbane

Two Aussie teens, Destanee Aiava and Alex De Minaur, have taken full advantage of the wildcards they were offered into the qualifying event at the Brisbane International by reaching the main draw in resounding fashion.

In sweltering conditions on New Year's Day, Aiava bludgeoned her way past German opponent Carina Witthoeft 6-1 6-1 to rightfully earn her place. The powerfully built 16-year-old – who models herself on Serena Williams – had already easily dispatched American Samantha Crawford and Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez. She now faces the prospect of another American – the experienced Bethanie Mattek-Sands – in the opening round of the tournament proper late Monday.

"I'm really starting to enjoy my tennis," Aiava said from Brisbane. "Just being out there and enjoying the challenge. Not thinking about winning or losing too much."

Aiava's resounding start to the year comes on the heels of an equally spectacular end to 2016 which saw her claim the Australian 18/u title and, with that, book a spot in the upcoming Australian Open, her maiden Grand Slam. In fact, when she lines up on her home courts at Melbourne Park later this month, Aiava will become the first player born this century to compete in a major.

Meanwhile, fast-rising 17-year-old Alex De Minaur ensured the men's main draw in Brisbane wasn't lacking in prodigious young Aussie talent either.

De Minaur secured his own place after surging back from a set down to edge out American fifth seed Frances Tiafoe in a two-and-a-quarter hour, 35-degree heat marathon.

With Lleyton Hewitt watching on, De Minaur came home strong to break Tiafoe in the penultimate game before claiming victory. "It was pretty good (having Hewitt courtside), because so many times he's come back from tough matches," he said. "Having him out there, it means a lot."

On the previous day, De Minaur ousted the qualifying tournament's top seed, Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin.

Hewitt has worked hard with De Minaur in recent times and said he was rapt for the young man. "He gets an opportunity now to play in a main draw of an ATP Tour event. What a way to start the new year."

His start to the year was given another boost on Monday with news that, alongside Aiava, he will compete in the Australian Open as a wildcard.

However, De Minaur's immediate focus will be on his first round opponent in Brisbane, Germany's Mischa Zverev – with a win seeing him potentially face Rafael Nadal.