Casey Dellacqua ready for Australian Open despite losses

The No.1 seed bombed out on Thursday to Italian Karin Knapp in round two at the Hobart International.

Despite her sole and scratchy victory and limited match practice, the world No.29 claims to be as prepared as she can be for her home grand slam.

‘‘I feel ready for the Australian Open and I feel that I’m the best prepared that I can be and that I have done everything that I possibly can,’’ Dellacqua said after her 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 loss to Knapp.

‘‘Now I just turn my focus onto the Australian Open and doing what I can in the next couple of days to prepare best for that.’’

Before arriving in Hobart, the 29-year old suffered three singles losses at the Hopman Cup in Perth, including against British world No.49 Heather Watson.

But Dellacqua is not dwelling on her defeats.

‘‘I have no concerns in terms of how I’m hitting the ball and how I’m feeling out there. My body is healthy. I feel good,’’ she said.

And, maybe most importantly, Dellacqua said she was feeling relaxed after her time in Tasmania. 

‘‘Each match that I’ve played this year things have got better and better,’’ she said.

‘‘I’ve found my focus a lot quicker. I just tried to stay calm and tried to stay in the best frame of mind that I can to not let the match run away from me.’’

After her three-set win over American Lauren Davis in the first round in Hobart on Monday, Dellacqua said she struggled with concentration but insisted on Thursday that her focus was  improving.

She will be seeded in Melbourne for the first time and of the Australians is behind only No.20 Samantha Stosur.

 ●  Promising young Australian Jordan Thompson has continued his run of impressive form at the Kooyong Classic, taking the scalp of world No.14 Feliciano Lopez.

In his first match at the Australian Open warm-up tournament, the 20-year-old lost in a third-set tie-breaker to world No.5 Japan’s Kei Nishikori, but he was all smiles after overcoming the Spaniard 7-6 (9-7), 6-3.

Thompson, who is ranked 273 in the world, showed his speed around the court and impressive serve to outplay 33-year-old Lopez.

‘‘I played really well today,’’ the Sydneysider said.

‘‘He didn’t play his best, but I will definitely take that.’’

The win was a big boost to Thompson’s confidence heading into the Australian Open, where he will  benefit from a wildcard for the second straight year, courtesy of his victory in December’s playoff.

Last year in the first round Thompson led 20th seed Jerzy Janowicz two sets to love before the Pole powered home.

Earlier at the Kooyong Classic, Frenchman Gilles Simon cruised past Serb Filip Krajinovic 6-4,  6-3. AAP