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A LAST-minute decision to play in the Riverina Open has paid massive dividend for nationally ranked Lucia Gonzalez, with the Sydney-based star securing the crown yesterday.

Gonzalez coaches at the Haberfield Tennis Centre, and was accompanying four of her talents to Wagga for the city's biggest tournament.

"I came down here with four of my players � Charlie Dao, Stephanie Meduric-Ritossa, Dante Maestri and Maddie Greville," she said.

"I used to play full-time but I hadn't played much because I had been coaching.

"I am quite sore because I haven't been playing as much.

"It was definitely the support from the kids and from Craig Williams and Clare Wyse that got me across."

Gonzalez was given a fiery initiation to the Riverina Open, when she met rising Papua New Guinean prodigy Abigail Tere-Apisah in the women's grand final.

The final set of the game went to an agonising tie-break, with Gonzalez stealing the 3-6, 6-0, 8-6 win from Tere-Apisah. After taking out the first set in impressive fashion, the wheels fell off for Tere-Apisah in the second and the Gonzalez was given the chance to completely walk over the top of the 17-year-old.

The teenage sensation was forced to pull out all stops in what was a stunning comeback that brought her within an inch of a miraculous upset.

Frustration repeatedly boiled over for Gonzalez in the final set, as the number one-ranked player realised Tere-Apisah was closing in on an incredible victory.

Gonzalez was quick to praise her prodigious opponent, firmly believing Tere-Apisah has a strong future in tennis. "She played really well � it was a really tough game," she said.

"She came out on top in the first set, then I was able to pull away to get the second but the third set was really tough.

"I got up, and then she would come back and get up. The momentum swung between both of us.