Tennis: Jones continues top-200 charge

Sacha Jones on her way to winning at Rock Hill. Photo / Tim Hartis

Aucklander Sacha Jones marked her 19th birthday in style, winning another ITF Pro Circuit tournament in the United States yesterday.

"It was special," said Jones, who won US$2940 and 50 ranking points in the US$25,000 ($34,600) women's USTA Pro Circuit event sponsored by the city of Rock Hill. "First time I've ever played a match on my birthday."

Eighth-seed Jones, who beat the second and third seeds on the way to the final at South Carolina, was too strong for qualifier Ani Mijacika of Croatia. She won 6-0, 6-4 , a result which will probably see her climb from 212 to inside the world top 200 when rankings are updated next week.

Last month, Jones won three ITF Pro Circuit events in Australia.

"Everything is falling into place," she said. "I don't have any particular strength or weakness. I've just always been a good competitor."

Jones has three more weeks of tournaments in the US, including a $70,000 event in Phoenix.

- NZPA