Paris, France, 22 May 2024 | Leigh Rogers

Five Australians have advanced to the second round in the Roland Garros 2024 women’s qualifying singles competition.

Kimberly Birrell and Priscilla Hon scored opening-round victories on day two in Paris, joining compatriots Astra Sharma, Taylah Preston and Olivia Gadecki in the next round.

> READ: Australian women off to a promising start in qualifying at Roland Garros 2024

This is only the second time in the past 45 years that five Australian women have progressed to this stage in a Roland Garros qualifying draw, matching the efforts of 2022.

The Open era record for Australian women reaching the second round in qualifying at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament is six, which was achieved in 1978.

Birrell achieved a milestone of her own, staging a stirring comeback to notch her career-first victory at Roland Garros.

The 26-year-old from the Gold Coast triumphed 2-6 6-0 6-3 against world No.170 Polina Kudermetova.

This is world No.154 Birrell’s eighth win from her past 10 matches and sets up a second-round showdown with Serbian Olga Danilovic, the 11th seed in the women’s qualifying draw.

Hon scored a 7-6(5) 6-3 victory in her opening-round clash against German Mona Barthel, a former world No.23.

The 26-year-old from Brisbane, who is currently ranked world No.216, next faces Hungarian Panna Udvardy, a 25-year-old ranked No.132.

World No.215 Li Tu is proudly carrying Australian hopes in the men’s qualifying singles competition.

The 27-year-old from Adelaide recorded his career-first win at Roland Garros, producing an impressive display to beat Brit Oliver Crawford 6-7(4) 6-4 6-2.

Tu struck 42 winners to 25, which included nine aces, in the two-hour and 15-minute encounter.

> READ: Australian men set to achieve 25-year first at Roland Garros 2024

After recording his first win on clay in almost two years, Tu’s next challenge is a second-round meeting with veteran Mikhail Kukushkin. The 36-year-old from Kazakhstan is a former world No.39.

All six remaining Australians are scheduled to continue their qualifying campaigns on day three in Paris.

> VIEW: Roland Garros 2024 qualifying day three schedule

Players need to win three rounds to earn a coveted main-draw spot at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament.

Aussies in action – Roland Garros

RESULTS
Women’s qualifying singles, first round
Kimberly Birrell (AUS) d Polina Kudermetova 2-6 6-0 6-3
Priscilla Hon (AUS) d Mona Barthel (GER) 7-6(5) 6-3
Lucija Ciric Bagaric (CRO) d [7] Arina Rodionova (AUS) 6-4 6-3
Oksana Selekhmeteva d Destanee Aiava (AUS) 7-6(5) 6-4

Men’s qualifying singles, first round
Li Tu (AUS) d Oliver Crawford (GBR) 6-7(4) 6-4 6-2
Maxime Janvier (FRA) d [3] James Duckworth (AUS) 6-3 6-1
Alejandro Moro Canas (ESP) d Marc Polmans (AUS) 6-1 6-2

COMING UP
Women’s qualifying singles, second round
[22] Astra Sharma (AUS) v Timea Babos (HUN)
[30] Taylah Preston (AUS) v Alexandra Eala (PHL)
Kimberly Birrell (AUS) v [11] Olga Danilovic (SRB)
Priscilla Hon (AUS) v [27] Panna Udvardy (HUN)
Olivia Gadecki (AUS) v Solana Sierra (ARG)

> VIEW: Roland Garros 2024 women’s qualifying singles draw

Men’s qualifying singles, second round
Li Tu (AUS) v [25] Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ)

> VIEW: Roland Garros 2024 men’s qualifying singles draw

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