Bernard Tomic’s dream of returning to the main draw of a Grand Slam quickly ended after his defeat in the second round of qualifying against Arthur Fery in 68 minutes.
It was the first time the two men had faced each other and Fery won the match 6-4, 6-2.
It looked like the Tomic brand at 1573 Arena – he pushed his opponent into awkward positions with awkward slices that disrupted the rhythm, executed drop shots and hit emphatic winners.
The opening matches of the first set saw the pair level at 1-1 apiece before Fery beat the Australian 40-0 to lead 2-1.
Tomic fought hard to keep his hopes alive in the 10th match, saving three set points.
But a direct forehand error gave the Englishman the first set, much to the dismay of the crowd cheering for Tomic.
The second set started in the same vein and Tomic had to fight hard from 30-0 down to risk being broken in his second service game.
An unforced error from Fery and a much-needed ace from the Australian squared it at 30-30, although the encouraging signs weren’t enough to take the lead.
While Tomic managed to redeem himself and level the score at 2-2, Fery established his dominance on the court, leaving the Australian with few options.
The loss marks the fifth consecutive year that Tomic has not competed in the main draw of the Australian Open. (PAA: Joël Carrett)
Fery broke Tomic’s serve twice to win the match 6-4, 6-2 and advance to the third qualifying round.
If the stats tell you anything, it’s that Tomic was never really in the game.
He had nine winners to Fery’s 25 and 21 unforced errors (mainly his slice going into the net) to 16.
He also won less than 50 percent of his points on the second serve.
This is the fifth consecutive year that Tomic has not appeared in the main draw of his home grand slam, with his last appearance coming in a second-round exit in 2021.
Tomic rose to world number 184 with a renewed desire to compete at the highest level, but it just wasn’t meant to be at home.
Stephens hits back against Gadecki
Olivia Gadecki was knocked out of Australian Open qualifying in the second round by American Sloane Stephens.
The Australian came out strong early and made a set-up, but Stephens overcame early frustrations to win the next two sets and the match.
After two long hours and 12 minutes, former US Open champion and Australian Open semi-finalist Stephens won 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Olivia Gadecki started strong but was ultimately undone by a powerful strike from Sloane Stephens. (PAA: Joël Carrett)
It was the fourth time the two had faced each other and was the first time a match between the two had ended in a deciding set.
In 2024, Stephens knocked Gadecki out of the Australian Open in straight sets.
The Australian started the strongest on Wednesday and had Stephens running around the field.
Gadecki broke Stephens first time asking to take his early swing and there was obvious frustration on Stephens’ part.
The American turned to her coach after every point to ask for advice and complain that something was wrong.
After one point, his coach, Kamau Murray, told him to “just breathe, try to get more on your front foot.”
Sloane Stephens fought back from a set down to win. (PAA: Joël Carrett)
This advice could not prevent Gadecki from winning the first set 6-3.
In the second set, Stephens looked improved and began to regain her momentum. She always asked her coach for advice.
The former world number three managed to break Gadecki’s serve midway through the set and managed to continue the momentum to win the set.
Gadecki rallied well but failed to convert all five of her break points in the second set, leaving the door open for Stephens to level things up.
The Australian started the deciding set well, taking the lead after an early break.
However, it was short-lived as Stephens responded instantly with back-to-back breaks.
This momentum carried her to victory.
The victory is Stephens’ second in a row after a 13-game losing streak dating back to Wimbledon in 2024.
She will face Italian Lucia Bronzetti in the final qualifying round for a place in the Grand Slam.
