Tuesday 2 April 2019 12:29, UK
Emily Appleton's Mexican trip is going from strength to strength.
Not even a high-flying Kiwi player on an eight-match winning streak could stop our Sky Sports Scholar!
Having overcome creepy-crawlies in the jungle to win another doubles title, the 19-year-old was back for more action in Cancun on the ITF Tour....
"It was my third week in Cancun and after making a semi-final in the singles and winning a doubles title in my first week I was really excited to get going again.
I've been loving the training out here in Mexico and playing lots of matches.
In the first round I faced a qualifier from Japan. She was a really tough opponent and I eased through 7-6 6-1 despite saving four set points in the first set!
It was then Maria Gabriella Rivera from Guatemala who is in the top 35 in the world juniors so I knew it would be a hard one!
I dug in and played really strong and won 6-1 6-3 which sent me into the quarter-finals where I faced Vladica Babic.
She has a lot of experience and I've seen her around before so I was not expecting an easy match.
I played my best tennis yet and was really happy to come through 6-3 6-4. This really boosted my confidence and I was so pleased with how I played and managed myself on court.
In the semi-finals, I faced New Zealand's Paige Hourigan, who had won the singles title the week before and was on an eight-match winning streak.
I didn't let this faze me, though, and went into the match really pumped and ready to go.
I played some of my best tennis and was too strong for her. At 6-1 4-2 up she had to retire but despite this unfortunate ending I was really happy with the match and getting to my first final of the year!
In the final, I faced Monserrat Gonzalez from Paraguay. She was previously ranked in the world's top 150 and had reached the second round of a Grand Slam so I was really excited to play her and put my best tennis onto the court.
I started really relaxed and got off to a storming start to lead 4-1. She hit back but I held on to take the opening set on a tie-break.
Unfortunately she raised her levels and just edged the win to take the title.
Although I didn't win the final I was really encouraged by my level during the week and how I played. It's given me great confidence going into the next few weeks!
Now it's time for a few days of chill before finishing my Mexican tour with one more tournament in Cancun. LET'S GO!
