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Millman leads Australia's US Open qualifying charge

3 minute read

Veteran former quarter-finalist John Millman and rising star Olivia Gadecki are among four Australians to post first-round US Open qualifying wins in New York.

JOHN MILLMAN.
JOHN MILLMAN. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Former quarter-finalist John Millman has led another successful day for Australians at US Open qualifying in New York.

Five years after bringing down the great Roger Federer in a fourth-round classic at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Millman has been consigned to the Flushing Meadows back courts to try his luck in qualifying after tumbling to 326th in the rankings.

But the 34-year-old belied his slumping standing in the game with an inspired 6-4 7-5 win over world No.110 Alejandro Tabilo of Chile in his opening match on Thursday.

Millman must win twice more to join at least nine other Australians in the men's main draw at the season's final grand slam.

Marc Polmans is also in the mix for a start after opening his qualifying tilt with a gritty 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 comeback victory over Romania's Nicholas David Ionel, while James Duckworth advanced on Wednesday.

Rising star Olivia Gadecki made light work of Harmony Tan in her women's qualifying opener, trouncing the Frenchwoman 6-3 6-1 to book a second-round showdown with American Louisa Chirico, who ousted top seed Nao Hibino.

Priscilla Hon also progressed with a 5-7 6-4 6-1 win over Serbian 11th seed Olga Danilovic.

But Jaimee Fourlis lost 6-3 6-0 to veteran former US Open finalist Vera Zvonareva of Russia and Arina Rodionova bowed out with a crushing 5-7 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 defeat to Spaniard Marina Bassols Ribera.

The Open draw will be held on Friday morning (AEST), with world No.13 Alex de Minaur the only Australian seed this year in the absence of injured 2022 quarter-finalist Nick Kyrgios.

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