Just two Aussies from 28 reach the main draw

On Monday this week there were 15 men and 13 women from Australia with ambitions of reaching the main draw at the Australian Open.

After three tough rounds only Aleksander Vukic and Max Purcell survived the event. Tristan Schoolkate was alive going into the final day but he lost to former world no. 29 Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets.

Purcell was first to advance after defeating Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi 6-4, 6-3. Arnaldi had yesterday survived a match point against Alex Bolt before securing a win in three sets.

Vukic had a tougher match against USA’s Michael Mmoh. The top-ranked Australian in the qualifiers took the match 6-4, 7-5.

He started slowly to find himself 0-2 down before winning the next three games in a row. Mmoh would falter at the end of each set.

A rash of double faults would help Vukic to the win and his spot in the main draw for the first time as a qualifier. Vukic has played in two previous Australian Opens as a wildcard.

Vukic has been drawn to play fellow qualifier from the USA Brandon Holt. Purcell faces world no. 46 from Finland Emil Ruusuvuori.