Purcell powers into final round of Australian Open 2023 qualifying | 11 January, 2023 | All News | News and Features | News and Events

Max Purcell has moved a step closer to securing a spot in the Australian Open 2023 main draw.

The 24-year-old Australian recorded a straight-sets win over Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in second-round qualifying action at Melbourne Park today.

Purcell broke serve early in both sets and was in control throughout, eventually closing it out 6-4 7-5.

“I think 95 per cent of the match was played on my terms,” Purcell said.

The world No.204 could see the finish line leading 6-4 5-4 and with a 40-0 lead on serve, before Dzumhur rallied.

Purcell kept his cool in the warm conditions and eventually closed it out with an ace – on his seventh match point.

“I had a lot of chances to make that a bit more than a single break in the first and the second sets,” Purcell said after defeating the former world No.23.

“It took some closing out. I actually think I served the right way on those match points, he just picked it correctly.”

The Wimbledon 2022 gentlemen’s doubles champion is now one win away from his first main-draw singles appearance at his home Slam since 2020.

“It’d be great to get another Aussie into the main draw. I think I’m playing okay,” Purcell said. “It’s not far fetched to see myself in a main draw, particularly in Australia, I don’t think.”

Purcell, a two-time Australian Open doubles finalist, will play world No.134 Matteo Arnaldi in the final qualifying round.

The No.22-seeded Italian denied an all-Australian showdown, saving a match point in his 5-7 7-5 6-4 second-round victory today against Aussie Alex Bolt.

Tickets to attend Australian Open qualifying, which concludes tomorrow, are just $5 for kids and $10 for adults. Fans will also be able to see some of the world’s top-ranked players compete in practice matches at Melbourne Park.