Bride Rodionova wins Open wildcard semi

Arina Rodionova made it a wedding day to remember on Saturday, winning her semi-final at the Australian Open wildcard qualifying tournament.

Rodionova beat Storm Sanders 1-6 6-4 7-5 to advance to Sunday’s final in Melbourne.

Rodionova, who was born in Russia and has lived in Melbourne since 2005, then had to dash off for her wedding with Richmond Tigers AFL player Ty Vickery.

“It’s going to be an amazing day. I have no idea how I won this match, I didn’t play well but I just fought to the end and I guess that’s when it counts,” she told News Corp Australia.

“Right now, I’m just so excited to get married in a few more hours.

“Getting married to Ty is like a fairytale for me and so this is just a little bonus. It’s a good day all around.”

Rodionova admitted she found it tough to focus during the match.

“Because obviously the wedding was on my mind and I was thinking what am I doing here?. I’m just so happy I got through,” she said.

“It has been a crazy few weeks and there’s so many things on my mind.”

As per tradition, Vickery wasn’t there to cheer on his partner.

The pair are yet to schedule a honeymoon – Vickery has been in the middle of pre-season training while Rodionova is desperate to play in the Australian Open.

She faces West Australian Maddison Inglis in the final of the wildcard tournament.

The winner of that clash will earn a place in the main draw of the Australian Open, which starts on January 18.

Inglis defeated Queenslander Naiktha Bains 6-2 2-6 6-2 in her semi.

James Duckworth will meet Benjamin Mitchell in the final of the men’s Open wildcard qualifying event.

Rodionova’s wildcard semi-final was originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon but, with some help from organisers and agreement from Sanders, it was moved up to a morning start.

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