Qualifying gets underway tonight for the Grade 1 warm-up event to the Australian Open. Patrick Brady is in qualifying with Matt Rankin, Louis Bowden and Ranah Stoiber expected in the main draw. Matt's campaign has been highlighted by his local paper
A great start to the main draw with 3/3 for the boys. All were facing higher ranked opposition in the top 50 (though Louis' opponent may have a false ranking, given the weakness of many African events). Matt's second round opponent has been listed as one to watch in this ITF article A lot of the girls matches were suspended or did not get onto court, like Ranah's
Boys R1 (L64)
Louis Bowden d. Connor Henry Van Schalkwyk (NAM) 7-6(4) 6-1 (Q) Patrick Brady d. Gilles Arnaud Bailly (BEL) 6-2 6-3 Matthew Rankin d. Artur Kukasian (RUS) 6-1 6-3
R2
Louis Bowden v Alex Michelsen (USA) (Q) Patrick Brady v (12) Ozan Colak (USA) (8) Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez (MEX) v Matthew Rankin
Patrick battled hard against his seeded opponent but eventually lost out. A similar story for Ranah means it is just doubles left (Louis & Matt edged a 19-17 match tiebreak to earn a second round match against the top seeds)
Boys R2
(12) Ozan Colak (USA) d. (Q) Patrick Brady 7-6(11) 7-5
Girls R2
(15) Qavia Lopez (USA) d. Ranah Akua Stoiber 7-6(4) 6-4
Louis & Matt narrowly lost their match against the top seeds, but Ranah has won through a couple of match tiebreaks to reach her first Grade 1 doubles semi
Girls Doubles SF
(8) Kupres/Stoiber (CAN/GBR) v Costoulas/Rowinska (BEL/POL)