Dominic Stricker is a bundle of nerves riding each and every strike as his good mate Leandro Riedi flips survival into success.
The Swiss players closed to within one victory of qualifying for their respective Grand Slam main draw debuts on Wednesday, but Stricker found it was his compatriot’s tussle that wreaked greater havoc on his mental state.
“I was in the locker room before my match watching his match and watching his tiebreak. To be honest, I think I was more nervous watching than in my match,” Stricker said.
“I was actually shaking on the couch in the locker-room. Just to see Leandro playing, I'm super happy for him. It's his first Slam.
“He's had an amazing run the last few months. We're such good friends, so we'll both be really happy for each other.”
The 12th-seeded Stricker had a struggle of his own to withstand American Mitchell Krueger in a one-hour second set before he reached the final round of qualifying at a major for the first time.
His 6-4 7-6(4) victory set up a clash with Frenchman Enzo Couacaud, but his route paled in comparison to the rollercoaster ride fellow 20-year-old Riedi clung on for as he recovered from a set and 1-3 down in the second and third sets to complete a 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(11) comeback against Italian Giulio Zeppieri.
The World No.135, who lost to Stricker in the 2020 French Open boys’ singles final, fought off three match points and needed two of his own to finish the two-hour, 27-minute result to set up a clash against Czech Dalibor Svrcina.
Stricker ended last season with a strong run to the last four at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan with wins over more established prospects such as Lorenzo Musetti and Jack Draper.
It was a welcome shot of confidence as he headed to the off-season closing in on the top 100, but the glaring omission from his CV remained a Grand Slam main draw appearance.
“I had a tough year last year with the Slams,” he said. “I always played good, but of course I expected more.
“To be in the final qualification round is great. I came here with a good feeling. I played two really good matches, so I’m looking forward to the third round and hope to play my first main draw.
“I had a good off-season, a good pre-season as well, practising in Switzerland and I'm lucky to show that on court.”
While part of the Swiss United Cup team in Brisbane, Stricker was not called on to play, but the experience and camaraderie proved invaluable all the same ahead of his second Australian Open qualifying attempt.
It marked a first time too working with Stan Wawrinka as a playing captain.
“We were an amazing team with Stan, with Belinda [Bencic], Jil [Teichmann], everyone was there,” Stricker said. “We're all good friends, so yeah, it was a great week for me. It gave me a lot of energy, a lot of motivation for this season.
“I had some hits with Stan, which is always great. You know, his practice is so intense. It's great to have that opportunity with him.
“I think he won his first Slam here if I'm not wrong. Of course that's in my mind. I think all the Swiss guys know that.
“He's an amazing player and his fighting spirit is unbelievable.”
American Brandon Holt continued his quest for a second straight Grand Slam main draw berth after a 6-2 7-6(5) win over Portugal’s Gastao Elias.
The 24-year-old son of former women’s world No.1 Tracy Austin last year surprised 10th seed Taylor Fritz in his maiden US Open appearance.
He will meet Marco Trungelliti in the final round of qualifying after the Argentine’s three-set win over Australian Marc Polmans.
Alexander Vukic and Max Purcell were among three Australian men into the final round of qualifying, joined later on Wednesday by Tristan Schoolkate, a three-set winner over Raul Brancaccio.
The 129th-ranked Vukic beat Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante, while Purcell accounted for former world No.23 Bosnian Damir Dzumhur.
DRAW: Australian Open 2023 men's qualifying
DRAW: Australian Open 2023 women's qualifying
Holt’s countryman, sixth seed Denis Kudla, comfortably closed in on his eighth Australian Open main draw but top seed Alejandro Tabilo and seventh seed Hugo Gaston succumbed.
Austrian world No.193 Sebastian Ofner took down Chilean Tabilo, 6-4 7-6(4), while Alexandre Muller advanced at French compatriot Gaston’s expense. Muller led 6-2 4-0 before his former 58th-ranked opponent retired injured.
American ninth seed Michael Mmoh ended French former world No.18 Benoit Paire’s bid for a 12th Australian Open main draw berth, and will next face Vukic.
In a match finishing well into the evening, 17-year-old Shang Juncheng stunned AO 2009 semifinalist Fernando Verdasco, a player 22 years his senior.
Shang next faces Zsombor Piros, while former world No.29 Jan-Lennard Struff also advanced, over Emilio Gomez.