Aleksandar Vukic becomes the 11th Australian man to enter the Australian Open main draw, after an impressive win in the final round of qualifying.
Melbourne, Australia , 12 January 2023 | Vivienne Christie
Aleksander Vukic will contest the Australian Open main draw for a third straight year, after victory over the higher-ranked Michael Mmoh win in the final round of qualifying.
The Australian came from behind in both sets to secure his 6-4 7-5 victory in an hour and 50 minutes.
Pure passion 💪🇦🇺
Aleksandar Vukic doesn’t drop a set on his way to qualifying for the @AustralianOpen main draw! 🙌#GoAussies • #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Uz65wSnzXr
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) January 12, 2023
Mmoh, who was the No.9 seed in Australian Open qualifying, took impressive momentum into a second career match with Vukic.
The 25-year-old American dropped just one game in his first-round qualifying win over American wildcard Bruno Kuzuhara and overcame former top-20 ranked Benoit Paire in straight sets in the second round.
Initially it seemed that today’s encounter would be similarly straightforward, with Mmoh immediately claiming a serve break and consolidating to take a 2-0 lead. But when Vukic levelled the match two games later it settled into a tussle for the two evenly matched combatants, who are separated by 20 rankings places.
A double fault from world No.109 Mmoh provided Vukic with a first set point opportunity; sturdier in the bigger moment, the Australian dominated an extended rally and converted after 42 minutes.
The 129th-ranked Australian was similarly composed as Mmoh gained an early second-set service break to take a 3-1 lead. As energy levels briefly appeared to dip for the American, Vukic rallied to level after the sixth game.
The 26-year-old Sydneysider drew on a supportive Court 3 audience as he staved off a consistent challenge from the determined Mmoh, who held eight break points for the match.
But the American would lament the serve struggles that came at just the wrong moments, with a sixth double fault providing Vukic with a pair of match points.
He converted at the first opportunity, with a brilliantly placed forehand winner – Vukic’s 23rd winner in total, as he completed his third straight match win in straight sets.
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