Tennis: Qualifier relishing centre court appearance

Sabine Lisicki. Photo / Dean Purcell

German qualifier Sabine Lisicki is relishing the prospect of going on a packed centre court when she faces defending champion Yanina Wickmayer in the ASB Classic tennis tournament in Auckland today.

She set up the second-round meeting with the No 2 seeded Belgian by defeating another qualifier, Argentine Florencia Molinero, 6-1 6-3, on an outside court.

Once the world No 22, Lisicki has dropped to 175 after an injury-hit year and is using the Classic as the first step in a bid launch herself back up the rankings.

"It will be a great match for sure," she said of playing Wickmayer.

"These are the fun matches and that's what I really missed when I was injured, playing on the stadium court, with the crowd there.

"The feeling, the adrenaline - I always play my best on those courts, in the big matches."

With all action on centre court being streamed live on the internet, another person who will be pleased will be her mother.

"Mum will be happy," Lisicki said.

``She's back in Germany, and she's happy every time she can see me play.''

With three qualifying rounds and the win over Molinero under her belt, Lisicki won't lack for match fitness.

But making the second round of the main draw wasn't on her radar when she arrived in Auckland.

"To be honest, I didn't think about it at all," she said.

"I just went in one match at a time. Especially with injury last year, it was so tough to get back.''

The 21-year-old has her sights firmly set on regaining her former ranking over the coming season.

"First, I have to go back to the top 100," she said.

"But the goal this year is to get back to where I was and go further."

Lisicki's serve is one of her weapons and at last year's United States Open, one delivery was recorded at 199.6 kmph - the third fastest of the tournament behind sisters Serena and Venus Williams.

Against Molinari, she sent down 10 aces in her eight service games.

"I feel comfortable with my serve again," she said.

"Overall, I really feel good with my game right now and I think that's one reason also why I've won the last four matches."

- NZPA