Australian Sam Groth has continued his impressive form this summer with a sizzling 6-3 7-6(1) win over Canadian Frank Dancevic in the opening round of the men’s singles qualifying.
Runner-up in the Australian Open 2009 Play-off, Groth used his big serve and strong ground strokes to full effect against the 130-ranked Canadian. It’s a big scalp for Groth, who is currently the world No.278.
Groth will now face No.1 qualifying seed Russian Telmuraz Gabashvili in the second round of qualifying.
Big-serving Australian Chris Guccione has been knocked out of qualifying at the Brisbane International by American Amer Delic 6-4 7-5.
The centre-court match was originally planned for an outer court, but was moved to Pat Rafter Arena when the scheduled match between Russian Maria Kirilenko and Australia’s Samantha Stosur was cancelled due to Kirilenko withdrawing with illness.
Ai Sugiyama has taken Kirilenko’s place in the draw and a lucky loser will be promoted to fill the vacant spot.
In other completed men’s qualifying matches:
Evgeny Korolev (RUS) d Martin Fischer (AUT) 6-2 6-1
Kevin Anderson (RSA) d Greg Jones (AUS) 7-6(3) 6-4
Bobby Reynolds (USA) d Michail Elgin (RUS) 4-6 6-2 6-3
Luka Gregorc (SLO) d Jesse Huta Galung (NED) 6-4 6-4
Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) d Robert Smeets (AUS) 7-5 6-4
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