German Dustin Brown put in a gladiatorial effort to stave off four match points to sneak into the final round of Australian Open 2018 qualifying with a 3-6 6-4 7-6(16) triumph over China’s Wu Di on Thursday night.
A packed Court 5 witnessed a high-velocity encounter which culminated in a thrilling tiebreak, after which the 33-year-old walked off to a standing ovation.
MORE: Click here to see all the scores and results from qualifying day two
“I’ve only played a long tiebreak like that once in a final set. It was just a very difficult match. He started off so well and I realised I just had to get loose and swing,” said the relieved world No.126.
MORE: Full men’s qualifying draw
“I tried to make him think. He played unbelievable shots on my match points in the tiebreak.
“For both of us there were a lot of nerves. I felt my return towards the end, but it just kept taking off,” added Brown, who was on course for victory at 4-1 in the tiebreak, before surrendering three match points himself in an absorbing, turbulent ending.
“Those matches can go either way. In the moment it was torture, so much was going through my head. Coming back after injuries last year, it’s very important for me to get through these matches, to prove the body is there and that mentally I have matured a lot.”
Brown’s reward is a tussle for a main draw ticket with American Stefan Kozlov.
Kozlov saved match points in his opening-round triumph over Australian Blake Ellis, and was pushed the distance once again on Court 19 on Thursday.
The 18-year-old prevailed 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 against German Yannick Hanfmann.
MORE: Women's Day 2 qualifying wrap
John-Patrick Smith boosted the Australian ranks in men’s qualifying, soaring into the final round with a commanding 6-4 6-2 victory over sixth seed Cameron Norrie.
“I played well, especially after coming through a very tough one yesterday,” said Smith. “I woke up and felt pretty good this morning. I knew he was a good player, we’ve played a few times in doubles.
“It’s good to get through that in straight sets to save my energy for Saturday.”
The world No.220 rushed the net well, disrupting the rhythm of the sixth seed to chalk up an early 3-1 break lead.
Smith held his nerve serving at 5-4, clinching the set with a vicious outswinger, before a fourth ace consolidated his advantage.
A laser-like backhand pass on the run and a crisply-struck smash gained the 28-year-old the pivotal break for 3-2, before closing out another chance at the third round of qualifying.
“I lost a tough one against (Radek) Stepanek here last year, but I won’t think about that too much, I have to take it one match at a time,” added Smith.
Smith will vie for a main draw place against American Kevin King, who dispatched Zdenek Kolar 6-1 7-6(2).
Wildcard Bradley Mousley sparked more joy for the home contingent, launching 20 aces to edge Spaniard Ricardo Ojeda Lara.
The 22-year-old, Australian Open boys' doubles champion in 2013 and 2014, struck 19 winners in the second set to force a decider.
Smart net play – Mousley succeeded in 19 out of 27 exchanges coming forward – propelled the Australian to a 5-7 6-3 6-4 triumph to earn a main draw play-off with Jaume Munar.
Darian King was ecstatic to edge to towards the Melbourne main draw, having overhauled ninth seed Alexander Bublik 7-5 6-0.
“It feels fantastic,” said King, who is targeting a maiden Australian Open. “I haven’t been feeling very well recently, but everyone assisting me has done a great job to help me play this well.
“The first set was a bit frustrating, but I’m very happy how I fought back from an early break to run away with the match,” added the 25-year-old.
Fellow Next Gen prospect Elias Ymer is his next opponent. The Swede dug deep to prevail 6-7(3) 6-3 6-3 against American Dennis Novikov.
Czech Vaclav Safranek ended the hopes of home charge Andrew Whittington 6-3 6-2. The world No.227 will vie for a main draw ticket against Argentina’s Andrea Collarini, who navigated past Federico Gaio 6-3 6-7(4) 6-4 in a gruelling two-and-a-half hours in the blazing Melbourne sun.
Denis Kudla, who featured in the main draw second round back in 2016, brought American joy as he progressed past Tobias Kamke 6-2 7-5 to book a decider with 20th seed Matteo Berrettini.
Kudla was joined in the third qualifying round by countryman Mackenzie McDonald, who defeated Jozef Kovalik 6-2 6-2 in a dominant display.