Qualifying continues at Asia-Pacific AO Wildcard play-off
Day 2 of the Asia-Pacific Australian Open Wildcard play-off qualifying draw was completed amid inclement weather at the Nanjing Sports Institute in China.
Nanjing, China, 17 October 2012 | Tennis Australia
Day 2 of the inaugural Asia-Pacific Australian Open Wildcard play-off qualifying started amid inclement weather, but play eventually got underway indoors at the Nanjing Sports Institute.
The top seeds in singles all progressed to the final round of qualifying, stamping their authority on the competition during the wet day.
Top seed Sanam Singh from India was clinical in his match against China’s De Zhu, progressing 6-3 6-1. In a similar result, second seed Mao-Xin Gong of China progressed with a 6-2 6-0 win over compatriot Xin Gao.
On the women’s side, the top two seeds were victorious in straight sets, ensuring an all Chinese affair in the final round of qualifying. Those players, Yan Fan Wang and Yuxuan Zhang will both start as favourites in their matches tomorrow.
The doubles draw was also completed yesterday by Australian Open tournament referee Wayne McKewan.
China dominates the women’s draw with 22 players, with local doubles pairing of Liu Wan-ting and Sheng-nan Sun – the doubles world No.118 and No.119 respectively – receiving a bye into the quarterfinals and looming as an imposing pair to beat.
The men’s doubles draw is more evenly-spread with several countries represented. Australian Open 2009 junior singles champion Yuki Bhambri (doubles No.176) and Divij Sharan (doubles No.103) of India will headline the draw as the top seeds while the Chinese-Taipei combination of Hsin-Han Lee and Hsien Yin Peng seeded second.
The final round of singles qualifying will be completed on Wednesday along with the first round of the main draw doubles events.
The Inaugural Asia-Pacific Australian Open Wildcard play-off has been collaboration between Tennis Australia and the China Tennis Association with the aim of providing players in the Asia-Pacific region an opportunity for a place in the Australian Open 2013 main draw.