Around 30 overseas players, from Indonesia, New Caledonia and Japan, are competing, some of them playing on grass for the first time.

Coach of the Japanese squad Fuji Keiichiro said yesterday the championships would prove beneficial for his players in the long term.

Keiichiro, who oversees the development of four girls and two boys aged 11-15, said experience was everything for his players.

“I came (to the championships) three years ago ... it’s a very good experience for the students,” he said while watching some of his charges go through their paces.

“We have been to Korea and Hong Kong before, but we enjoy coming to Australia very much.

“The tennis has been really good and then (when the tournament finishes) we go to watch the Australian Open.

“That’s very, very exciting and hopefully we can watch (former world No.56 Japanese professional) Kei Nishikori.”

Meanwhile, several local players enjoyed encouraging victories during yesterday’s action, including Albury youngster Sophie Edgar, who won her way through the quarter-finials of the under-12 girls.

Edgar proved too strong for Japan’s Mari Ichikawa, winning 6-4, 6-2.

Finley’s Nick Fenaughty prevailed in a marathon three-set thriller against Glen Dawes despite falling in a hole in the second set.

Fenaughty took 211 minutes to finally clinch the match, winning 7-6, 0-6, 7-6 and making his way through to the boys’ under-16 semi-finals.

A major surprise could be brewing in the under-14 girls championship, with only one seed remaining at the semi-finals stage, Melbourne’s Taylor Capanolo (no.2), with an international trio from Fiji and Japan also in the mix.

Emerging Newcastle player Matt Wenta has followed up his strong showing at the recent Margaret Court Cup by storming through to the semi-finals of the boys’ under-16 event.

The action continues today at the Wodonga Tennis Centre, with the quarter and semi-finals to be played in singles and doubles.