Aussie Max Purcell has completed a successful qualifying campaign to secure a main-draw singles spot at Australian Open 2023.
Melbourne, Australia, 12 January 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Determined to make his mark in singles this year, Max Purcell has made a promising start by qualifying at Australian Open 2023.
The 24-year-old from Sydney earned a coveted main-draw spot with a 6-4 6-3 win against Italian Matteo Arnaldi in final-round qualifying action at Melbourne Park today.
Purcell produced a strong serving display against world No.134 Arnaldi, firing 11 aces and winning 77 per cent of first serve points.
This helped the Wimbledon 2022 doubles champion navigate some extreme momentum swings throughout the match. From 0-40 on his serve at 3-4 in the opening set, Purcell recovered to hold and reel off seven consecutive games.
The 21-year-old Arnaldi, who was competing in his first Australian Open and attempting to qualify at a major tournament for the first time, briefly fought back to win three straight games.
But Purcell, a two-time Australian Open doubles finalist, steadied to win the final three games of the 75-minute encounter.
Purcell becomes only the second Australian man to successfully qualify twice at the Australian Open in Melbourne Park’s 35-year history – and the first to achieve this feat in 30 years.
Qualifying complete ✅💪@MaxPurcell98 is through to the @AustralianOpen main draw for the second time in his career! 🙌#GoAussies • #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/v1a3wHz8o8
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) January 12, 2023
This is the third time world No.204 Purcell has qualified for a Grand Slam singles tournament in his career, matching his efforts at Australian Open 2020 and Wimbledon 2022.
He will make his fourth major appearance in total, having also competed at the US Open in 2021 as a wildcard.
Purcell becomes the 10th local contender in the Australian Open 2023 men’s singles field, joining Nick Kyrgios, Alex de Minaur, Chris O’Connell, Jordan Thompson, Thanasi Kokkinakis, as well as wildcards Jason Kubler, Alexei Popyrin, Rinky Hijikata and John Millman.
Two more Australians, Aleksandar Vukic and Tristan Schoolkate, are aiming to join them when they compete in final qualifying round matches later today.
Main-draw action at Australian Open 2023 begins on Monday 16 January.
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