Polmans, Tu and Schoolkate advance to Q2 along with Hon, Perez and Sharma
Three of seven Australian men advanced to round 2 of qualifying for the Australian Open. Three from six advanced in the women’s event.
Li Tu got his first ever qualifying win after defeating the 25th seed Jozef Kovalik 6-2, 6-2. It was on his third attempt and losing in the opening round at the Australian Open qualifying in 2021 and 2022.
Marc Polmans also defeated a Slovakian player when he won in straight sets. Polmans defeated the 24th seed Lukas Klein.
The final Australian male to claim a win was Tristan Schoolkate. He fought back from a set down to win against Kimmer Coppejans of Belgium 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4. It is the second time Schoolkate has reached round 2 from three previous tournaments.
In 2021 Schoolkate lost to Bernard Tomic in round 2.
Li Tu (AUS) d [25] Jozef Kovalik (SVK) 6-2, 6-2
Marc Polmans (AUS) d [24] Lukas Klein (SVK) 6-3, 6-4
[WC] Tristan Schoolkate (AUS) d Kimmer Coppejans (BEL) 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4
[6] Denis Kudla (USA) d Omar Jasika (AUS) 6-1, 6-1
[30] Yosuke Watanuki (JPN) d [WC] Philip Sekulic (AUS) 6-4, 6-2
Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) d James Duckworth (AUS) 7-5, 6-4
Rio Noguchi (JPN) d [WC] Edward Winter (AUS) 7-5, 6-1
In the women’s qualifying it was the more experienced players that came through.
Priscilla Hon got an opening round win against USA’s Katrina Scott. The American playing in her first Australian Open qualifier. The 18-year-old has only competed at one Grand Slam when she reached the round of 16 at the 2020 US Open.
Hon is attempting to reach the main draw for the fifth time in Australia.
Doubles specialist Ellen Perez defeated Petra Hule, a fellow qualifying wildcard 6-0, 6-2.
Astra Sharma, another wildcard recipient made the most of her opportunity and defeated Germany’s Katharina Hobgarski 6-3, 5-7, 6-1.
Priscilla Hon (AUS) d Katrina Scott (USA) 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-1
[WC] Ellen Perez (AUS) d [WC] Petra Hule (AUS) 6-0, 6-2
[WC] Astra Sharma (AUS) d Katharina Hobgarski (GER) 6-3, 5-7, 6-1
[1] Alycia Parks (USA) d [WC] Alexandra Bozovic (AUS) 7-6(4), 7-6(2)
[26] Jodie Burrage (GBR) d [WC] Elysia Bolton (AUS) 6-2, 6-4
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) d Maddison Inglis (AUS) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3