An historic US Open qualifying performance has ensured Australia will have its strongest main draw singles representation in New York for 45 years.
, Priscilla Hon, Arina Rodionova and Kim Birrell – in qualifying for the last grand slam of the year, on an extraordinary day for Australian tennis.One-time junior prodigy Aiava, who has spoken often about her mental health challenges, emotionally embraced her fiance Corey Gaal after downing former world No.20 Ana Konjuh 6-3, 6-2 to qualify.
The draw was not kind to some of Australia’s qualifiers though, with Tu meeting four-time grand slam champion and 2022 US Open winner Carlos Alcaraz, while Aiava and Hon start against fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina and dual Australian Open titlist Aryna Sabalenka, respectively.Another qualifier, Birrell, will need to beat Olympic silver medallist and Wimbledon semi-finalist Donna Vekic to make the second round.
The 25-year-old, who will attempt to become the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004-05 to make three consecutive major quarter-finals, played doubles at the Paris Olympics with Popyrin. Wildcard recipient Tristan Schoolkate and qualifier Tu make it a 12-strong men’s contingent. Tu ousted Dutchman Jesper De Jong 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 to punch his ticket to the main draw.Hijikata made a shock run to the fourth round last year, but the draw did him no favours, with tough Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina first-up before a potential showdown with No.9 seed Grigor Dimitrov.
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An emotional embrace, with 20 Australians to play in US OpenAn historic US Open qualifying performance has ensured Australia will have its strongest main draw singles representation in New York for 45 years.
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An emotional embrace, with 20 Australians to play in US OpenAn historic US Open qualifying performance has ensured Australia will have its strongest main draw singles representation in New York for 45 years.
Read more »