Australian Open organisers are assured qualifying matches can nonetheless be accomplished on schedule regardless of heavy rain in Melbourne forcing all play to be cancelled on the opening day.
In-form veteran Arina Rodionova, Melbourne Park fan favorite John Millman and former teen prodigy Destanee Aiava are among the many 25-strong Australian contingent who might face a delayed begin time on Tuesday.
Not one qualifying match was performed after the principle indoor courts had been stored off-limits to host follow by prime gamers together with Alex de Minaur and Naomi Osaka.
Tournament organisers stated the roofed courts may very well be turned to if required, however anticipated play to renew on Tuesday morning with all matches to be accomplished by Thursday evening.
If rain continues into the week matches may very well be pushed again all the best way till Saturday, with the match starting at some point later.
Australian Open qualifiers had been hit arduous by moist climate and smoke from bushfires in 2020, however the schedule was nonetheless accomplished three days earlier than the match begin.
Qualifying entrants are competing for 16 spots in every of the lads’s and ladies’s singles attracts, with three wins required to advance.
Millman was scheduled to play Italian Alessandro Giannessi in his first-round match within the opening slot on Tuesday morning, whereas Rodionova was meant to play on the similar time in opposition to Frenchwoman Leolia Jeanjean, however each might face delayed begin occasions.
It comes after Rodionova missed out on a wildcard into the principle draw regardless of a stellar 2023 during which she gained seven singles titles on the second-tier ITF circuit to maneuver from outdoors the highest 300 to a career-best 105.
The 34-year-old upset 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin within the second spherical of the Brisbane International final week to maneuver to the brink of a maiden top-100 berth.
The Russian-born Victorian will turn out to be the oldest participant in WTA tour historical past to succeed in the milestone for the primary time in her profession if her kind continues.
“I wish I could say I am surprised … but honestly,” Rodionova wrote on X after studying she had not been awarded a wildcard.
“The satisfaction of achieving it all absolutely on your own, despite all this stuff … it is worth it.
“I will see you guys at AO (qualifiers) in a couple of days and I am pumped for this.”
There are 5 Australian ladies already in the principle draw, with Ajla Tomljanovic granted entry on a protected rating after her knee damage and Daria Saville, Kimberly Birrell, Olivia Gadecki and Taylah Preston all issued wildcards.
Source: www.news.com.au
