Max Purcell’s choice to give attention to his singles dream forward of chasing extra doubles glory has paid off, with a scorching run by means of qualifying sealing his first Australian Open major draw berth since 2020.
Purcell did not drop a set all through his three qualifying matches and sealed his first-round spot with a 6-4 6-3 win over Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi on Thursday.
The 24-year-old Sydneysider will likely be joined in the principle draw by countryman Aleksandar Vukic, who beat American Michael Mmoh 6-4 7-5 to say his second berth after reaching the second spherical in 2022.
Purcell received the Wimbledon doubles with Matt Ebden in July, whereas the pair have been runners-up to Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis at Melbourne Park final 12 months.
But the doubles world No.33, who was additionally Australian Open runner-up with Luke Saville in 2020, will not be reuniting with Ebden as he focuses on singles.
“If I got the (rankings) points from Wimbledon last year it would have been a little bit harder to forget about doubles if I was No.8 or No.9 in the world,” Purcell instructed reporters.
“And (it was) a little easier knowing that if I don’t make the final here in doubles I’d probably drop back to about No.50. So it makes the decision for me a little.
“But it was at all times a matter of time earlier than I used to be going to name it quits on that.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot more to give in singles and I’m more than happy to go back to doubles later.”
Purcell was adamant parting methods with Ebden hadn’t been a tricky name.
“I want to get back to playing singles and if I was going to keep playing doubles, then sure, I would’ve been playing with Matt,” he mentioned.
“But I’m at that point where I can’t waste these years. When I’m young I want to be playing singles.”
This 12 months marks Purcell’s fourth major draw look at a slam.
He made the primary spherical of Melbourne Park in 2020, the US Open in 2021 and Wimbledon in 2022.
But the world No.204 mentioned he had restricted singles occasions final 12 months, a lot of which he’d entered late.
“Doubles has screwed me,” he mentioned.
“The scheduling’s impossible when you’re on a different schedule for singles and doubles.”
Purcell hopes to succeed in the singles prime 100 this 12 months and begin instantly qualifying for slam major attracts.
He was assured he might make an impression at Melbourne Park.
“I can’t see why I can’t do a little bit of damage,” he mentioned.
Tristan Schoolkate, who was the ultimate Australian wildcard left in qualifying, bowed out within the third spherical with a 6-1 6-4 loss to Jan-Lennard Struff.
