8 January 2017 | Tennis ACT

James Frawley (ACT) is through to the main draw of the East Hotel Canberra Challenger 2017 after defeating Jake Delaney (SA) in another nail-biting two set tie break match, 6-4, 7-6 [5].

Today’s win earns Frawley three ranking points, taking his total to four. As a result, next week’s rankings update is expected to award the 22-year-old 600 spots, placing him in good stead to soon enter the top 1000 players in the world.

Tournament Director Ross Triffitt said it’s brilliant to have a home grown player in the draw.

“James has played exceptionally well to qualify, winning both his matches in straight sets,” he said. “It’s fantastic to have a local representative in the main draw, to inspire our next generation of players and it’s great for James’ ranking.”

In hot, dry Canberra conditions, todays remaining three main draw qualifiers were Nathan Pasha (USA), Yusuke Watanuki (JPN) and Luca Margaroli (SUI).

Other notable Aussies joining Frawley in the main draw, will be Victoria’s Andrew Harris and NSW player Alexei Popyrin have been awarded wildcards.

Harris achieved a career high ranking in 2015 of No.483 in the world, however in 2016 left the pro circuit after succumbing to injury. The 22-year-old has Canberra ties, after partnering with fellow AIS Pro Tour scholarship holder Nick Kyrgios (ACT) to win the Roland Garros and Wimbledon junior boys’ doubles titles in 2012. Prior to this, Andrew and Nick were junior boys’ doubles semifinalists at the Australian Open.

Harris won his first ITF Futures title in 2013 in the United States and since then, has made two final round matches, again in the US and in Thailand.

At just seventeen years of age, Popyrin has had recent success on the international ITF Futures circuit reaching the quarterfinal rounds Claremont and Fountain Valley, CA.

The current world No.1154 also received a wildcard into the 2015 Canberra Challenger, where he lost his first round match to Diego Schwartzman (ARG) in straight sets.

Triffitt continued “It’s fantastic to see four young Australian players added to the field for the East Hotel Canberra Challenger.”

Main draw action will commence from 10am tomorrow and will feature top seed world No.63 Jan-Lennard Struff on centre court. Frawley will face world No.761 Aleksandar Vukic (NSW) on Tuesday 10 January 2017.

Tournament information including Order of Play can be found here.

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