Jamie gets second top billing in the AO site's FQR round-up:

Scotland's Jamie Baker has joined world No.9 Andy Murray in the main draw after upsetting Austrian No.31 seed Daniel Koellerer 6-4 6-4.

"I think that's the best match I've played," said the 21-year-old, who is now likely to be the No.2 player for next month's Davis Cup tie against Argentina.

"It's definitely the most consistent three matches I've had ever."

LTA report, looks like crazy Dani was up to the usual antics and Jamie was having none of it

Jamie Baker has played the best tennis of his career during the Australian Open qualifying and his reward is a place in the main draw of the first Grand Slam of 2008 after a 6-4 6-4 victory over Daniel Koellerer.

The British number three has never before qualified for a Grand Slam and, against a notoriously difficult opponent who is renowned for stretching the laws of the game to the absolute limits, showed the level of mental strength that John Lloyd is crying out for ahead of next months Davis Cup tie in Argentina.

Baker started strongly, breaking his Austrian opponents serve immediately and holding his own serve for a 2-0 lead. Koellerer was clearly rattled and began stalking around the court intent on disrupting Bakers routine. By the fifth game Koellerer even tried an under arm serve to unsettle the 21 year old Scot, all to no avail. A single break was all Baker needed to claim the first set 6-4.

Both players began serving well in the second set and there were some tremendous rallies with Baker in particular hitting the ball with pin point accuracy from the back of the court. At 3-4 Baker hit four great serves much to the annoyance of his opponent and full of confidence the British player attacked Koellerers serve with a place in the main draw in his sights.

What followed was verging on farcical. With the score standing at 4-4 and deuce, Koellerer served a double fault. With Baker a point away from a crucial break, his opponent walked over to his chair and asked to see the trainer. An injury time out followed and Kollerer received treatment while Baker sat in his chair unable to believe what was happening. Koellerer eventually felt able to continue and proceeded to serve another double fault, much to the amusement of the crowd, handing Baker the opportunity to serve for the match. Another good service game wrapped up the match for a delighted Baker.

Jamie said: "I was ready for everything out there today and was so focussed throughout. I played confidently and think it was one of my best performances. To qualify for a Grand Slam is a huge step for me especially having quite a tough draw. I worked hard in the off season especially on my serve with my coach Keith Reynolds and also with Louis Cayer and I think that it has really helped me. Ive got nothing to lose now so Im just going to go out there and enjoy it.

Quite a stunning few wins for Jamie Baker, definately seems to have started the year on fire..... good to hear he's been working a lot on the serve, Jamie reminds me a lot of Alan Mackin, especially game and attitude wise (though Jamie has bigger shots from the back and a better net game imo) and Mackin developed his serve into a real weapon, not so much through sheer pace but through the placement of it. Hopefully Jamie is well on the way to doing the same, 130mph is pretty good pace too.

3 wins over top 175 players without dropping a set bodes very well, in 2007 he had a few patches of brilliant form - Hawaii and Joplin challengers in Feb, ATP Nottingham and then that challenger at the end of Nov but otherwise struggled to find consistency. Hopefully this will be the year when he starts to produce those performances week in, week out and then we could see him close to the top 100 at some point in the next 12 months.

Really hope that the Beeb show his match, with Jamie playing a seed there's a chance it could be on a court they could televise.

john wrote:

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Wow, I can't believe it. Awesome to have Jamie in the main draw. What do we think the chances are of his game making it onto the TV. Jamie has proved in the past he can beat big servers. Did he not beat Gucc at Notts?

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There'd be an eminently winnable R2 match after that as the reward, if he could:  Dudi Sela (ISR) or Martin Slanar (AUT))...  Something tells me he's sealed his DC place with that performance!  Well done, Jamie!   Fantastic win!

All Credit to Jamie, proved he can step up that extra level and found consistency.

That's MAGNIFICENT from Jamie.

I remember asking him if I might take a photograph at the Nottingham Satellite in 2005, and joking that I would treasure it when he became famous. . .