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Aussies at the Open: Seven advance in qualifying

  • Leigh Rogers & Jackson Mansell

Priscilla Hon spoiled 15-year-old Emerson Jones’ quest to become the youngest Aussie to win an Australian Open singles match since Jelena Dokic in 1999.

Hon’s win in the all-Australian battle made her one of seven Australians advancing to the second round of AO qualifying on Tuesday at Melbourne Park.

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Also winning through were Astra Sharma, Destanee Aiava and Ivana Popovic, teenagers Talia Gibson and Melisa Ercan, and Dane Sweeny in the men’s draw.

Hon, who regularly trains with fellow Queenslander Jones in Brisbane, beat her junior compatriot 6-2 7-5.

“She’s literally 10 years younger than me, which is not a great feeling,” world No.206 Hon said.

“I knew I was in for a tough one and she didn’t even show that she had many nerves. Compared to me when I was 15, I would have been freaking out, so good on her. She played really well.”

World No.132 Sharma also opened her qualifying campaign with a win, overcoming Portugal’s Francisca Jorge in a three-set battle, while Aiava completed a 6-3 7-6(5) victory over France’s Chloe Paquet.

astra-sharma_australian-open-2024_q2_090124
Astra Sharma previously won three rounds of qualifying to reach the main draw at Australian Open 2019.

Popovic’s 6-3 6-2 win over Tena Lukas – a player ranked 300 places higher – was extraordinary given five months ago she was unranked and unsure what her future might hold.

The 23-year-old from Sydney had spent a year on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury and admitted she “was scared” as she plotted her competitive return.

However, her resilience was rewarded on Tuesday when she recorded a first Grand Slam win.

Teenage dreams

Aussie teens Gibson and Ercan scored milestone victories today in the Australian Open 2024 women’s qualifying singles competition.

The wildcard entrants both upset higher-ranked opponents at Melbourne Park to record their first wins at Grand Slam level.

The 19-year-old Gibson triumphed 6-3 1-6 6-2 against Romanian Andreea Mitu, a player 13 years her senior.

“It’s my first win at Grand Slam level and second at WTA level, so I’m really proud of today’s effort,” beamed world No.229 Gibson.

“(I’ve been dreaming of this) ever since I was little. Being able to play a Grand Slam in your home country is just incredible, so this is very special to me.”

Talia Gibson en route to victory in the first round of Australian Open 2024 qualifying.

Gibson, a winner in 12 of her past 13 matches, faces Czech teen Brenda Fruhvirtova in the next round.

Ercan, an 18-year-old contesting her first Grand Slam event, scored a dramatic 6-4 7-6(5) victory against Brit Yuriko Miyazaki.

Miyazaki, who is 10 years older and ranked more than 300 places higher than her Australian opponent, established a 3-1 lead in the opening set. However, Ercan then reeled off eight consecutive games to take control.

But leading 4-1 in the second set, Ercan began to cramp.

It took a gritty effort from the world No.511, who was taken off court in a wheelchair at the completion of the match, to hold off a charging Miyazaki.

Sweeny’s strong start

Aussie wildcard Sweeny claimed a straight-sets win over the higher-ranked Matteo Gigante, with the 22-year-old completing his 7-6(3) 7-5 win over world No.171 in an hour and 42 minutes.

In a tight contest, Sweeny’s ability to force the 22-year-old Italian into playing an extra shot during rallies helped to undo the Italian’s raw talent. Unforced errors also factored, with Gigante recording a costly 43 compared to 21 from world No.255 Sweeny.

The New South Welshman was determined to improve on his performance in Brisbane International qualifying, when he claimed only three games in a loss to world No.84 Gregoire Barrere.

“I had a few self-doubts. I had a really quick match last week. I don’t think I was even on court for an hour,” said Sweeny after victory over Gigante.

Dane Sweeny in action during the first round of Australian Open 2024 qualifying.

“I’ve been training really hard in the pre-season, but I felt a little bit underdone match-wise. So to come out and play a good level for most of the match, I’m thrilled.”

The Australian needs to win two more matches to progress to his maiden Grand Slam.

“I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was two years old, so to play main draw, it would be unbelievable,” said Sweeny, who next meets another Italian in world No.117 Luca Nardi.

“I think I’m playing at a level where I can achieve it right now, but right now it’s not worrying about that, it’s about the next match.”